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Oscar LyckeEvening Calm by the Northern Riverc. 1910
c. 1910
About the Item
ink on paper
signed OSC. LYCKE
unframed 24 x 34 cm (9.4 x 13.4 in)
framed 33.5 x 43.5 cm (13.2 x 17.1 in)
Provenance:
Acquired directly from Katarina Gunnarsson, who inherited the painting from her mother, Barbro, the daughter of the artist.
Essay:
This ink landscape by Oscar Lycke (c. 1910) evokes the tranquil beauty of a remote northern valley. Bold black lines sweep across the paper to define a still river winding between gently rolling hills. In the foreground a humble log cabin nestles at the water’s edge, framed by slender birch and fir trees. Above, the sky is hinted at with strokes and washes of ink, suggesting a soft, diffused light. Although rendered simply, the scene feels remarkably three‑dimensional: darkly inked foreground shapes push forward against lighter, more delicate strokes in the distance. The effect is one of quiet serenity – the kind of calm encounter with nature that Lycke loved to capture. Lycke often painted and drew the Indalsälven valley in northern Sweden, especially around the village of Liden, and this image likely reflects that region. The gently undulating ridges and the placid river here closely resemble the Liden landscape he returned to again and again. One can almost imagine the shadowy woods and glassy water of Bodacke in Liden at dusk. This setting – an unspoiled Nordic river valley – was a recurring motif in Lycke’s work. He was deeply attached to the Swedish north; his art consistently celebrates its expansive forests, mirrored lakes, and rustic farmsteads.
Technique and Style
Lycke’s mastery of ink is evident in every expressive stroke. Using only black ink on paper, he achieves a rich range of tone and texture. Thick, confident strokes suggest the solidity of the cabin walls and tree trunks, while thinner, more rapid lines imply the finer details of foliage and rippling water. Some areas are left nearly blank – washes of pale ink indicate sky and distant hills – creating bright highlights that contrast with the deep blacks. The result is a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Lycke applies the ink with a kind of lyrical energy: lines sometimes curl and dance, giving life to the scene, yet everywhere they remain under control, defining form with precision. This balance of spontaneity and discipline reflects his self-taught background. Without formal academic training, Lycke developed a personal technique that feels at once free and deliberate. The drawing’s expressive lines and compositional skill speak to his innate draftsmanship. Even in monochrome, he captures the “Nordic light” – the cool glow of a long summer evening – using subtle gradations of gray and sharp silhouettes against the sky. The overall effect is both bold and atmospheric, demonstrating Lycke’s confidence in handling ink as his medium.
Education and International Success
Lycke’s artistic journey was unconventional. Born in Sundsvall in 1877, he never attended a formal art academy. A childhood gift for drawing grew into a lifelong passion, and as a young man he moved to Stockholm to try making art his livelihood. He spent those early years studying nature directly and producing illustrations for magazines – a practical way to hone his skill. Around the turn of the century he even traveled to North America on art-study trips, broadening his perspective far from Sweden. Despite humble beginnings (and one discouraging schoolmaster), Lycke persevered. Over time he exhibited widely across Sweden – from Gothenburg to the north – and gradually gained recognition. His most remarkable success came abroad. In the 1910s Lycke brought his northern landscapes to New York, and American audiences were captivated. Contemporary accounts report that his exhibition in New York was a sensation: every painting he showed there sold quickly. The clear, romantic portrayal of Swedish wilderness and the masterful technique behind each canvas and drawing resonated with collectors and critics. In this way, Lycke achieved international acclaim, even while remaining relatively humble at home. By the time of his later shows – in Stockholm and back in Sundsvall – he was celebrated as a leading interpreter of Sweden’s natural beauty. Throughout his career, Lycke’s work remained rooted in the Swedish countryside. He captured all seasons of the north – from snowy winter nights to the midnight sun of summer – but always with the same reverence for nature. In Evening Calm by the Northern River, we see that devotion distilled into a simple ink study.
- Creator:Oscar Lycke (1877 - 1927, Swedish)
- Creation Year:c. 1910
- Dimensions:Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good condition. age related patina. A new black frame with UV protected art glass is included.
- Gallery Location:Stockholm, SE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1445216379802
Oscar Lycke was a Swedish painter best known for his evocative depictions of the northern landscape. Born in Sundsvall in 1877, he devoted his life to capturing the forests, rivers, and light of Norrland in works that combine national romanticism with a strong sense of realism. His paintings remain beloved today for their vivid atmosphere and heartfelt connection to the Nordic environment. Largely self-taught, Lycke showed artistic talent from an early age. After receiving mixed encouragement from his schoolteachers, he left Sundsvall at the age of 20 to pursue a career as an artist in Stockholm. The early years were difficult—he had no formal training and struggled to make a living—but his dedication never wavered. Over time, he gained recognition and began exhibiting in cities across Sweden, including Malmö and Norrköping, as well as internationally in Copenhagen and New York. Lycke was constantly on the move, traveling through Sweden in search of new landscapes and inspiration. He lived at different times in places like Delsbo and Hudiksvall, and during the war years of 1915–1918, he settled in Stockholm, spending summers with his family in Räfsnäs in the Stockholm archipelago. Eventually, he returned to his native Sundsvall, where he continued to paint until the end of his life. His artistic style reflects the cultural mood of early 20th-century Swedish art. Like many of his contemporaries, Lycke was drawn to national themes, finding beauty and identity in the Swedish countryside. His landscapes often depict the shifting light of dawn or dusk, dense spruce forests, and quiet paths glowing with natural color. The emotional resonance of his work, rooted in both memory and place, made him a favorite especially among those with ties to the north. Oscar Lycke passed away in 1927 at the age of 50, after a long period of illness and declining vision. A memorial exhibition at Sundsvalls museum in the late 1970s reaffirmed his significance, especially as a painter of northern Sweden. Today, Oscar Lycke remains a cherished figure in early 20th-century Swedish art, remembered for his lyrical portrayals of Norrland landscapes and his ability to transform everyday nature into something timeless.
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