Pastoral Elegance: Ulrik Thersner's 1824 Aquatint of Djursholm Castle

Gentle Repose at Österby: An 1824 Aquatint by Ulrik Thersner. This aquatint by Ulrik Thersner, created in 1824, depicts the serene landscape of Österby in Sweden. The image is suffused with a gentle light that bathes the scene in a warm, inviting glow. It features two individuals on horseback in the foreground, suggesting a tranquil pace of life and leisurely exploration. Their presence adds a narrative element to the scene, inviting viewers to contemplate the journey the riders are undertaking. The central focus of the aquatint is the stately building situated by the water, likely a manor house or a significant estate of the time, reflecting the architectural style of the early 19th century. The estate is flanked by expansive, lush greenery and tall trees, with a prominent pine tree in the foreground that anchors the composition. The detailed rendering of the foliage and the atmospheric perspective in the background create a sense of depth and spaciousness. In Skåne, Thersner had drawn several mansions in 1816, and he decided to publish a counterpart to Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia antiqua et hodierna. He called his work Fordna och present Sverige, and in 1817 began its publication. Carl Fredrik Akrell engraved the images, which were executed in aquatint. Eventually, Wilhelm Maximilian Carpelan joined the publication. The Scania part was completed in 1823, Östergötland was started in 1820 and Uppland and Södermanland in 1824-25. Thersner himself wrote the text for the pictures. After Thersner's death, his widow, with the help of friends, continued the publication, which had never received public support. Michael Gustaf Anckarsvärd took over the publication, in lithographic form, until 1843. The work could be continued, partly with the drawings left by Thersner as templates, partly by Anckarsvärd and others contributing new drawings. In general, Anckarsvärd's work is considered superior to Thersner's. In 1843, the work was taken over by Thersner's daughter, Thora Thersner (1818-1867). She continued publishing until her death. Thora Thersner lithographed her drawings herself, which are usually considered conscientious, if somewhat dry and weak. During her time, among other things, the part about Närke (1838-55) was continued and completed. At the time of Thora Thersner's death, the entire work comprised 91 booklets, containing 364 plates with text. The publication had cost each subscriber 682 kroner and 50 öre. More about the maker: Ulrik Thersner was a multifaceted individual, having an impactful military career alongside his work as a draftsman and topographer. Born on April 2, 1779, in Kyrkslätt parish in Finland, Thersner began his military service early, becoming a ship's boy in the Swedish navy at the tender age of seven. His naval service during Gustav III's Russian War...

This hand-colored aquatint is a topographical view of Djursholm Castle in Danderyd, Sweden, and it is a part of Ulrik Thersner's ambitious project, "Fordna och närvarande Sverige" (Antiquity and Present Sweden). This work aimed to be a modern counterpart to Erik Dahlbergh's "Suecia antiqua et hodierna," a significant 17th-century work that showcased Sweden's historical and contemporary landscapes, buildings, and monuments through engravings. Ulrik Thersner's endeavor in creating "Fordna och närvarande Sverige" involved drawing several mansions, among other subjects, and began publishing these works in 1817. The technique used, aquatint, is a form of etching that allows for the creation of images with tonal variations, resembling watercolor paintings, which makes it particularly suited for detailed and atmospheric topographical representations like the one of Djursholm Castle. Carl Fredrik Akrell, a notable engraver, worked on engraving Thersner's images, which were then executed in aquatint, a process that allows for a rich gradation of tones and a painterly quality. Wilhelm Maximilian Carpelan later joined the publication effort, indicating a collaborative process in bringing Thersner's vision to fruition. The parts of the series were published over a period, with Skåne completed in 1823, and the regions of Östergötland, Uppland, and Södermanland addressed in the years 1820 and 1824-25. Thersner's personal involvement in writing the text for the pictures underlines the detailed and scholarly approach taken in producing this series. Thersner's "Fordna och närvarande Sverige" would have been an invaluable contribution to the documentation of Swedish cultural heritage and landscape during the early 19th century, providing a vivid pictorial record that would have appealed to both the scholarly community and the general public interested in the country's history and geography. The print of Djursholm Castle that you are referring to would be a part of this important series. More about the maker: Ulrik Thersner was a multifaceted individual, having an impactful military career alongside his work as a draftsman and topographer. Born on April 2, 1779, in Kyrkslätt parish in Finland, Thersner began his military service early, becoming a ship's boy in the Swedish navy at the tender age of seven. His naval service during Gustav III's Russian War...

This original antique aquatint is a picturesque depiction of Söderfors, a place likely to be in Sweden, given the naming convention and style of the artwork. Crafted by Ulrik Thersner in 1825, the image portrays a vibrant, pastoral scene set by a rushing waterway, suggesting the presence of a river or stream. The landscape is dotted with buildings that have the architectural hallmarks of early 19th-century Swedish design. A group of figures is depicted in the foreground, which adds a human element and scale to the scene. Söderfors, if it is the same location known today, has a historical industrial background and is located in Uppsala County, Sweden. The area has been known for its ironworks and manufacturing history dating back to the 17th century. It is a locality situated in Tierp Municipality, Uppsala County, Sweden with 1,572 inhabitants in 2010 If the aquatint represents this area, it may have captured Söderfors at a time when it was transitioning from a more agricultural society to one influenced by industrialization. Today, the region may still have remnants of its historical past, although it would have undoubtedly undergone significant changes since Thersner's time. More about the maker: Ulrik Thersner was a multifaceted individual, having an impactful military career alongside his work as a draftsman and topographer. Born on April 2, 1779, in Kyrkslätt parish in Finland, Thersner began his military service early, becoming a ship's boy in the Swedish navy at the tender age of seven. His naval service during Gustav III's Russian War...

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