Sigrid Hjertén, "Kalkklippan, St Aubin"
Modern Art & Design presents
Sigrid Hjertén, "Kalkklippan, St Aubin"
In 1920 the Hjertén/Grünewald family had returned to the French capital after almost ten years in Sweden. Sigrid Hjertén sought out new motifs outside the city, partly to get away from the noise of the city but also to get inspiration from rural life and the dramatic scenery in the coastal areas. Following a decade of portraits of family members and above, all of the son Iván, portraits of people are now becoming increasingly rare. The surroundings are allowed to take up more space on the canvas, evident in paintings of the city and landscapes.
In 1921, Sigrid Hjertén paints the first version of the dramatic rocky coast at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, in Normandy. She would return to this motif later in life. At this time, Hjertén's mental disease becomes increasingly noticeable. In 1932 she seeks treatment back in Sweden, and the paintings that were created in the following years bear an expressive painterly strength, where the colour itself has taken over the main role from possible models and views.
In 1934 the family makes a trip through Europe to Sicily. Back in Sweden, Hjertén's work is focused on reinterpreting motifs from memory going back to the 1910s. Powerful and picturesque variations of the view of lifting cranes on Stadsgårdskajen are created. She also travels in time back to the years in France. In his book on the artist, Carl Palme writes about the "cold yellow colour" that was always present in Hjertén's palette. This colour becomes particularly significant during Hjertén's last active years as an artist, and it is extremely noticeable in the painting in this auction, "The limestone cliff, St Aubin", from around 1935.
To be sold at Modern Art & Design. Estimate: 1 200 000 - 1 400 000 SEK.
When is the viewing and auction?
Viewing: 10–15 November, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm.
Open: Mon–Fri 11 AM – 6 PM, Sat–Sun, 11 AM – 4 PM.
Auction: 16–17 November, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm.