Bukowskis Presents Three Important Artworks by Carl Larsson at Important Spring Sale
In Sundborn, Dalarna, the river floods annually in the spring. In the current painting "Vårflod/Översvämning" from 1902, Carl Larsson captured this phenomenon and framed it around this tender family portrayal. While his wife Karin sits on a chair with Torbjörn on her lap, the daughters run around and explore the floodwaters. The water has created a temporary island where the family can enjoy the warmth of the spring sun.
Nature as a subject matter was discovered by Carl Larsson much earlier in his career, specifically during his young years in France. Between 1882 and 1885, he resided in the village of Grez-sur-Loing, along with other Swedish and Scandinavian artists, where they collectively explored the emerging genre of landscape painting that had developed in France during the latter half of the 19th century. Upon his return to Sweden, he wrote that he had now "embraced nature wholeheartedly [...] The youthful, fertile soil shall now become the object of my painting."
"Vårflod/Översvämning” is a declaration of love to both family and nature. While portraying Karin's love for Torbjörn and the daughters' vibrant curiosity, he also captures the spring's fertile vegetation with its majestic birch trees and babbling water.
To be sold at the Important Spring Sale
Estimate 3 000 000 - 5 000 000 SEK
Viewing: June 8th–13th, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open: Weekdays 11 am–6 pm, Weekends 11 am–4 pm
Auction Live: June 14th – 16th, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm
Carl Larsson purchased the Spadarvet estate in Sundborn parish in 1897 and carried the title of "artist and farmer" in his pastoral certificate. Spadarvet was the neighbouring farm to Lilla Hyttnäs in Sundborn, where Carl Larsson resided. He bought the farm and entrusted the farming duties to the tenant couple Johan and Johanna to cater to his growing family's needs. The purchase, partly financed by the income from the National Museum frescoes, included the cottage Kartbacken, where Carl Larsson's parents moved in. A romantic dream since his youth had come true, and the acquisition of Spadarvet held symbolic significance for Carl Larsson.
The departure from rural areas to cities and the emigration to America triggered a counter-movement of romanticizing the old farming community. Artists and poets, who had returned to Sweden after a few years on the continent, sought refuge in nature, moving away from the cities. For the people of Stockholm, this romanticism found expression in Skansen, founded in 1891 by Arthur Hazelius. Carl Larsson's attitude towards the rapid development of modern society became increasingly conservative. He asserted that the rural culture represented the solid foundation of society, and national strength would be derived from the earth. The Swedish farmer's work is celebrated in the series of watercolours titled "Spadarvet - mitt lilla lantbruk", released in 1906.
In the vibrant watercolour painting "Gumman i Maj månad", we see the elderly Kersti Kvarnberg, often referred to as Mother Kersti, making her way across the courtyard in front of the combined brew house and bakery cottage at Spadarvet, aided by her walking sticks. Mother Kersti was the tenant farmer's wife at Spadarvet and is often depicted wearing her traditional Boda costume. The red colour of her apron harmonizes with the Falun red of the brew house. The complementary blue colour in the details of her attire reappears in the staircase railing and in the blue door adorned with a flower wreath that frames the text "Färdig Suzanne-Dagen 1906."
To be sold at the Important Spring Sale
Estimate 2 000 000 - 2 500 000 SEK
Viewing: June 8th–13th, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open: Weekdays 11 am–6 pm, Weekends 11 am–4 pm
Auction Live: June 14th – 16th, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm
The summer of 1892 was rainy and cold for Carl Larsson and his family in Sundborn. This is how the artist describes it:
The auction's painting was likely executed during this rainy summer, which may explain the cloudy sky and subdued colour palette the artist employs. We see a serene depiction of the family's cottage and farm in Sundborn, where they had lived since 1889. In the quote above, he describes how he ventures out with his easel and begins to paint after the morning swim and oatmeal breakfast. It is easy to imagine how the painting came to be during these morning moments.
To be sold at the Important Spring Sale
Estimate 1 200 000 - 1 500 000 SEK
Viewing: June 8th–13th, Berzelii Park 1, Stockholm
Open: Weekdays 11 am–6 pm, Weekends 11 am–4 pm
Auction Live: June 14th – 16th, Arsenalsgatan 2, Stockholm