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Pehr Wickenberg
A Serene Dawn by the Lake with Villagers

1842

$2,098.56
£1,561.12
€1,750
CA$2,873.65
A$3,195.11
CHF 1,668.31
MX$38,892.25
NOK 21,286.90
SEK 19,944.81
DKK 13,321.78
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About the Item

A Tranquil Dawn by the Lake A serene, wind‑still dawn scene in watercolor: a woman and a man in a small boat moored to a jetty, both with their backs to the viewer as they tend to their fishing nets. The glassy lake reflects a lone sailboat approaching the shore, while a picturesque windmill stands on the opposite bank near the horizon. This superb work is signed Pehr Wickenberg and dated 1842—a very fine example of his delicate handling of atmosphere and light. Pehr Wickenberg (1812–1846) Born Petter Gabriel “Pehr” Wickenberg in Malmö, Sweden, in 1812, he displayed early talent in drawing and painting, receiving private lessons from the age of thirteen. His journey led him to the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm in 1831, supported by letters from patrons and the newly founded Art Association. Despite financial challenges and a serious eye condition in 1836, Wickenberg persevered. He traveled to Töplitz for treatment and then to Berlin, where he studied with scenic artist Karl Wilhelm Gropius, before moving to Paris in 1837. Once in Paris, his reputation soared: he won a gold medal at the Salon de Paris in 1838 for his Nordic winter landscape, followed by another in 1839 for “Winter Fishing” In 1839 he became agré (candidate member) of the Académie Royale, and in 1842 received full membership, along with Sweden's prestigious Order of Vasa. He also traveled through Belgium, the Netherlands, and spent time in London in 1843. However, recurring health issues emerged—an eye ailment returned and then tuberculosis forced him to retreat to healing climates in Nice, Eaux-Bonnes, and finally Pau, where he died in 1846 aged just 34 Exhibitions & Museum Collections A retrospective in 1976 at Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde in Stockholm highlighted his work. His works are held in major collections, including Nationalmuseum, Nordiska museet, Uppsala University Art Museum, Norrköping Art Museum, Östergötlands Museum, Göteborgs museum, Malmö Museum, Lund University Library, the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Amsterdam. Artistic Style & Significance Pehr Wickenberg initially painted biblical and mythological themes, but soon found his true voice in landscapes, inspired by 17th-century Dutch painting, often populated by genre figures—a style that gave life and personal resonance to rural scenes. Collectors of the time admired his evocative rustic charm, with critics praising his depictions of children and animals as possessing a "naïve freshness". Though technically accomplished, some critics of the era remarked he could benefit from greater variety; nonetheless, his paintings were prized for their emotional intimacy and technical finesse . This 1842 watercolor aligns with his genre landscapes, with attention to subtle light, color harmony, and narrative serenity. The mirror-like water surface and fishermen clearing nets speak to Wickenberg’s keen ability to evoke stillness and daily ritual. Executed near the end of his career, it demonstrates the maturity of his style during a period when he was also exploring intimate scenes and character studies. In summary, this piece is an excellent and well-preserved example of Wickenberg’s work: an intimate lakeside scene rich in atmosphere and quiet storytelling. It reflects his artistic journey—from early academic roots and international acclaim to the deeply human landscapes he painted in his later years.
  • Creator:
    Pehr Wickenberg (1812 - 1846, Swedish)
  • Creation Year:
    1842
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.24 in (26 cm)Width: 13.39 in (34 cm)Depth: 1.38 in (3.5 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    It is good condition. Paper has turned slightly brown.
  • Gallery Location:
    Stockholm, SE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2608216473882

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