Sweden - Art

A Rare 17th-Century Portrait of John Calvin This small interesting portrait, of John Calvin (1509–1564) offers a rare glimpse into the enduring legacy of the French-Swiss reformer. P...

In this radiant drawing from 1911, Swedish artist Oskar Lycke captures the quiet grandeur of a summer landscape near Sundsvall in northern Sweden. The view stretches across a serene ...

A watercolor depicting a mountain view and the lake Gruyère, (Lac De La Gruyère) in Switzerland by the American Impressionist and Tonalist Mary Rogers Williams (1857–1907). Signed M.R. Williams. On the verso, the artist wrote: ‘Painted in Gruyère July 1902.’ This is a newly discovered work by a rare woman artist who seldom appears on the art market. Small in scale, yet rich in atmosphere, power, and depth—a genuine little gem. Mary Rogers Williams was born in 1857, in Hartford, Connecticut, the fifth of six children to a local baker. Orphaned by the age of fourteen, she pursued art with remarkable determination, studying at Hartford’s Decorative Art Society and the Art Students League in New York under William Merritt Chase. Her early mentor was James Wells Champney. In 1888, she joined Smith College as associate professor of art, where she taught for nearly twenty years to help support her family. Alongside her academic career, she maintained a serious and evolving artistic practice, though much of it was pursued within the limitations of her era’s gender roles and financial pressures. Her work is often classified as a blend of Tonalism and Impressionism—movements that were just taking shape during her lifetime. Tonalists used subdued palettes to evoke mood rather than detail, while Impressionists leaned toward brighter colors and broader subjects. Williams, working independently of art-world factions, forged a style rooted in mood, light, and atmosphere. She painted luminous pastels, watercolors, and oils—portraits, landscapes, and intimate studies of daily life. Despite knowing figures like Whistler, William Merritt Chase, and Childe Hassam, she rarely aligned herself with any artistic “school” and found many male contemporaries pretentious or repetitive. She famously dropped out of Whistler’s Paris school, calling him “a pompous fop surrounded by fawners.” Though Mary Cassatt and Williams were both American Impressionists living in Paris, they never met—Cassatt enjoyed wealth and elite circles, while Williams was a self-reliant educator without patrons. Williams traveled extensively throughout Europe—from the Arctic Circle to the ruins south of Naples—often alone or with her sister. She bicycled through fjords, hiked to medieval towns, and visited chateaux and harbors, all while sketching prolifically. She is likely the only 19th-century woman artist whose travels and daily life can be traced in such vivid, personal detail: what she ate, how she felt about fellow travelers, what she paid for trams, how the air smelled, what she wore, and how she missed home. She documented everything—museum visits, church restorations, conversations with hotel guests, and her frustrations with men’s treatment of women artists. These letters, rediscovered in 2012 in a family boathouse, provide an extraordinary insight into not only her art but the intellectual and emotional texture of her life. Her writings reveal not only artistic insight but the immense workload she carried. At Smith, she taught studio art and art history, organized faculty events, curated student exhibitions, wrote essays, handled housework, and even cooked and cleaned for her own lodgings. On vacations, she cooked for her family; in Europe, she waxed floors, painted walls, repaired clothing, and stoked fires—all while maintaining her painting and travel schedule. Unlike many of her male peers, she had no assistants, no household staff, and little inherited wealth. Yet, as her letters reveal, she never saw herself as a victim—she relished challenges and even the absurdities of her era, from Italian waiters pushing marriage to department heads at Smith dismissing women’s artistic capacity. Despite these challenges, Williams exhibited widely during her lifetime: Paris Salon (1899) National Academy of Design (1903–04) Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts New York Water Color Club, American Water Color Society, Art Association of Indianapolis, and more. She was praised in The New York Times, Hartford Courant, and Springfield Republican, and compared by peers to figures like Emily Dickinson—another New England woman of quiet yet profound artistic power. But unlike Dickinson, Mary Williams...

In this poetic lakeside scene, Hilding Werner transports the viewer to a tranquil Scandinavian summer night at the turn of the century. Four couples dance gaily upon a wooden raft or...

This previously unpublished painting was first securely attributed to Govert Dircksz Camphuysen in 1944, following an examination at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm during which the ...

Follower of Jacob Savery (1566-1603) Concert of Birds 18th-century oil on panel no signature unframed: 42 × 44 cm (16.5 × 17.3 in) framed: 53 × 54 ...

This tranquil view shows Öland’s rolling green heath at dusk, with grazing sheep and a lone windmill on the far horizon. The broad sky streaked with soft gold and blue underscores Kr...

Follower of Johann Heinrich Tischbein the Elder (1722–1789) Man with Bagpipes oil on oak panel no signature 25 × 19 cm (9.8 × 7.5 in) 31 x 26 cm (12.2 x 10.2 in) This refined 18th...

This exquisitely detailed drawing by Swedish artist Oscar Lycke captures a rustic settlement nestled in the golden highlands of northern Sweden, most likely depicting the traditional...

Mountainous Landscape with a Stone Bridge (1856) This painting by Austrian artist Richard Maerz (1810–1871) depicts a dramatic mountainous landscape. A stone bridge arches high above...

This evocative 19th century oil painting on canvas portrays a tender moment as a fisherman returns with his catch to his two daughters on the tranquil, moonlit shores of a sea bay b...

Anton Genberg’s coastal painting captures a tranquil harbor scene along Sweden’s west coast. In this 1923 oil painting, a cluster of weathered boathouses stands by the water’s edge, ...

This second half of the 19th-century oil painting, signed lower left "Perret," is attributed to the French artist Henri François Perret (b. 1825). This work is a masterful example of...

A rare and poetic nocturne by Swedish artist Hugo Carlberg, Moonlight evokes the hushed stillness of a moonlit landscape. Silvery reflections shimmer across the water as tall trees c...

The painting titled Portrait of a Boy in Profile, attributed to Friedrich Wasmann (1805–1886), exemplifies the refined portraiture characteristic of the Biedermeier period. Executed ...

This late work by Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, likely painted in the final years of her life, depicts two flowering Tallört plants (Monotropa hypopitys)—a delicate and unusual forest plant...

This is a beautiful and highly decorative watercolor painting, featuring a charming garden scene filled with pink and white hollyhocks alongside blooming roses. Nestled among the del...

Karl Adloff’s View of Koblenz from the Rhine towards the Fortress of Ehrenbreitstein (1855) is a luminous and atmospheric river scene that draws the viewer into a moment of stillness...

This evocative landscape by Otto Lindberg captures the quiet beauty of a forest at dusk. The most striking feature is the luminous pink and violet glow of the fading sunlight, master...

This evocative oil painting, titled Studio Muse, depicts a seated nude in a quiet moment of contemplation. The model is shown in profile, resting on a simple wooden stool against a n...

Carl Johansson (1863–1944) was a Swedish painter renowned for his evocative landscapes, particularly those capturing the striking natural beauty of northern Sweden. His works reflect...

"After the Storm" is the title of this oil painting on canvas by the Swedish artist Hjalmar Berghcrantz (1889–1961). Signed and dated 1917. The artwork depicts a rugged landscape whe...

This small oil painting on board (21.5 x 33 cm) is a rare early work by Swedish landscape painter Carl Johansson (1863–1944). Painted during the artist’s 1894 travels to the Canary I...

This small, tenderly rendered painting— titled The Poor Girl (Den fattiga flickan)—offers a rare glimpse into Julius Kronberg’s early period, when he w...

Carl Flodman (1863-1888) Swede A Harbor Scene from 1884 oil on wood panel signed and dated C.Flodman 84 unframed: 13 x 21 cm (5 1/8 x 8 1/4 in) framed: 29 x 37.5 cm (11 3/8 x 14 3/...

A female and male Goosander bird on ice floes. In the center, a small opening in ice covered waters. This painting, by Christian Berg (1893-1976) is quite interesting and unusual for...

German School, 1700s The Road to Emmaus oil on panel unframed: 24.3 x 17.5 cm (9.6 x 6.9 inches) framed: 34.5 x 28 cm (13.6 x 11 inches) Provenance: Swedish author and artist Amel...

Oskar Bergman (Stockholm 1879–1963 Saltsjöbaden) “Skogskanten” (Winter Landscape with Spruce Trees) signed "Oskar Bergman" in pencil drypoint etching image size: 19.5 x 29.5 cm (7 ...

This exquisite painting, titled "Rocky Path With Figures" is a captivating example of Thomas Barker of Bath's talent. Despite its small size, measuring only 13 x 11 cm, this piece sh...

This luminous landscape painting by Oscar Lycke captures the rolling hills and deep forests of northern Sweden, likely from the Sundsvall region. The foreground is dominated by lush ...

We are pleased to present this exquisite piece by Swedish artist Wilhelm Dahlbom, entitled "Moonlight, Idö, 1912". This work captures the serene reflection of moonlight on water, the...

A young girl with a bob haircut, gazing downward, wrapped in a shawl or blanket. A red hairband adorns her head. Oil on canvas mounted on cardboard, this captivating portrait, painte...

We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite painting by the Swedish artist Otto Lindberg, titled "Bränningar vid Utö" (Breakers at Utö). Completed in 1928, this stunning piece ...

This small Flemish painting, measuring only 24.5 x 18.5 cm and executed on a copper plate, depicts Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. Created in the 17th century, the artist remains unknow...

This exquisite painting by the artist Otto Lindberg (1880-1955) is a mesmerizing depiction of a spring sunset. Crafted in 1952, this piece stands as one of Lindberg's final paintings...

This intimate plein air study by Olof Arborelius captures the quiet beauty of a sunlit forest edge reflected in still water. The confident, spontaneous brushwork and delicate handlin...

Ivan Bergdahl (1929-2021) Sweden Sunset, Svolvær, Lofoten (Solnedgång, Svolvær, Lofoten) oil on board signed Ivan Bergdahl unframed: 25.5 x 37.5 cm (ca 10.04 x 14.76 inches) framed: 36.5 x 48 cm (ca 14.37 x 18.90 inches) Essay: Ivan Bergdahl, a renowned Swedish painter born in 1929, captures the essence of the Nordic landscape...

We are pleased to offer a captivating portrait, most likely painted in the late 18th century, attributed to an artist within the circle of Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich. This oil ...

A vibrant composition or portrait in a constructivist style by artist Lars Englund (born 1933), signed and dated "LED 56" (1956). This is an early work by the artist in which he has ...

In this luminous landscape study, Carl Oscar Borg captures the serene beauty of the New Mexican high desert, likely looking toward Mount Taylor, a sacred peak that rises above the su...

Provenance: Jean-Marc Du Pan (1785–1838), Geneva (L. 1440), passed to his brother Alexandre-Louis Du Pan (1787–1846); his sale, Geneva, March 26–28, 1840, included in lots 913–917; ...

We are pleased to offer this exquisite mid-19th century French painting, a serene landscape that beautifully captures the tranquility of rural life. This piece is signed "Ph ..." (th...

This striking devotional image, painted by a follower of Jan Gossaert, represents one of the most influential compositions of the Northern Renaissance: Christ on the Cold Stone, or C...

Fritz Lindström (1874–1962) Mountain Landscape (Pyrenees), 1928 oil on panel unframed 15.5 × 24 cm (6.1 × 9.4 in) framed: 26 × 34 cm (10.2 × 13.4 in) signed on the reverse Frame by...

The splendour of the tragic sea Francesco Guardi and maritime painting in Venetian art No Venetian painter was a stranger to the sea. After all, Venice was not only one of the most prominent ports of the Mediterranean, but indeed a city literally submerged in the ocean from time to time. Curiously however, the famous Venetian school of painting showed little interest in maritime motifs, favouring scenes from the iconic architecture of the city rather than seascapes. That is why this painting is a particularly interesting window into not only the painter Francesco Guardi himself – but to the significance of the element of water in art history, in absence as well as in the centre of attention. Whether it be calm, sunny days with stunning views of the palaces alongside the canals of Venice or – more rarely – stormy shipwrecking tragedies at sea, water as a unifying element is integral to the works of painter Francesco Guardi (1712–1793). During his lifetime, Venetian art saw many of its greatest triumphs with names like Tiepolo or Canaletto gaining international recognition and firmly establishing Venice as one of the most vibrant artistic communities of Europe. While the city itself already in the 18th century was something of an early tourist spot where aristocrats and high society visited on their grand tour or travels, the artists too contributed to the fame and their work spread the image of Venice as the city of romance and leisure to an international audience, many of whom could never visit in person. Still today, the iconic image of Venice with its whimsical array of palaces, churches and other historic buildings is much influenced by these artists, many of whom have stood the test of time like very well and remain some of the most beloved in all of art history. It was not primarily subtility, intellectual meanings or moral ideals that the Venetian art tried to capture; instead it was the sheer vibrancy of life and the fast-paced city with crumbling palaces and festive people that made this atmosphere so special. Of course, Venice could count painters in most genres among its residents, from portraiture to religious motifs, history painting and much else. Still, it is the Vedutas and views of the city that seems to have etched itself into our memory more than anything else, not least in the tradition of Canaletto who was perhaps the undisputed master of all Venetian painters. Born into his profession, Francesco lived and breathed painting all his life. His father, the painter Domenico Guardi (1678–1716) died when Francesco was just a small child, yet both he and his brothers Niccolò and Gian Antonio continued in their fathers’ footsteps. The Guardi family belonged to the nobility and originated from the mountainous area of Trentino, not far from the Alps. The brothers worked together on more challenging commissions and supported each other in the manner typical of family workshops or networks of artists. Their sister Maria Cecilia married no other than the artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo himself, linking the family to the most renowned Venetian name of the time. During almost a decade, Guardi worked in the studio of Michele Giovanni Marieschi, sometimes simply known as Michiel, a painted similar in both style and motif. Canaletto is, however, the artist Guardi is most often compared to since they shared a mutual fascination for depicting the architecture and cityscape of Venice. During the course of his career, Guardi tried his hand in many different genres. He was as swift in painting landscapes, Vedutas of Venice, sacred motifs, interiors and architectural compositions as he was in a number of other motifs. His style is typical of the Venetian school but also distinct and personal once we look a little closer. There is an absolute certainty in the composition, the choice of which sometimes feels like that of a carefully calculated photograph – yet it is also very painterly, in the best sense of the word: fluid, bold, sensitive and full of character. The brushwork is rapid, intense, seemingly careless and extraordinarily minute at the same time; fresh and planned in a very enjoyable mixture. His interiors often capture the breath-taking spacious glamour of the palaces and all their exquisite decor. He usually constructed the motif through remarkably simple, almost spontaneous yet intuitively precise strokes and shapes. The result was a festive, high-spirited atmospheric quality, far away from the sterile and exact likeness that other painters fell victim to when trying to copy Canaletto. The painting here has nothing of the city of Venice in it. On the contrary, we seem to be transported far away into the solitary ocean, with no architecture, nothing to hold on to – only the roaring sea and the dangerous cliffs upon which the ships are just moments away from being crushed upon. It is a maritime composition evoking both Flemish and Italian precursors, in the proud tradition of maritime painting that for centuries formed a crucial part of our visual culture. This genre of painting is today curiously overlooked, compared to how esteemed and meaningful it was when our relationship to the sea was far more natural than it is today. When both people and goods travelled by water, and many nations and cities – Venice among them – depended entirely on sea fare, the existential connection to the ocean was much more natural and integrated into the imagination. The schools and traditions of maritime art are as manifold as there are countries connected to the sea, and all reflect the need to process the dangers and wonders of the ocean. It could symbolize opportunity, the exciting prospects of a new countries and adventures, prospering trade, beautiful scenery as well as war and tragedy, loss of life, danger and doom. To say that water is ambivalent in nature is an understatement, and these many layers were something that artists explored in the most wondrous ways. Perhaps it takes a bit more time for the modern eye to identify the different nuances and qualities of historic maritime paintings, they may on first impression seem hard to differentiate from each other. But when allowing these motifs to unfold and tell stories of the sea in both fiction and reality – or somewhere in between – we are awarded with an understanding of how the oceans truly built our world. In Guardi’s interpretation, we see an almost theatrically arranged shipwrecking scene. No less than five ships are depicted right in the moment of utter disaster. Caught in a violent storm, the waves have driven them to a shore of sharp cliffs and if not swallowed by the waves, crushing against the cliffs seems to be the only outcome. The large wooden ships are impressively decorated with elaborate sculpture, and in fact relics already during Guardi’s lifetime. They are in fact typical of Dutch and Flemish 17th century ships, giving us a clue to where he got the inspiration from. Guardi must have seen examples of Flemish maritime art, that made him curious about these particular motifs. One is reminded of Flemish painters like Willem van de Velde and Ludolf Backhuysen, and this very painting has indeed been mistakenly attributed to Matthieu van Plattenberg...

Alfred Wahlberg was a distinguished Swedish landscape painter whose career spanned Germany, France, and Sweden. During his early years, he resided in D...

“Hilly landscape with trees and bushes from Narni in Italy,” sketched by Gustav Wilhelm Palm (1810–1890). Dated and signed “Narni 16 Sept” with “G.W [palm tree] 45,” it portrays gent...

In this luminous landscape, Oscar Lycke invites us to experience the serene vastness of Sweden’s northern interior. Likely painted in the region surrounding Liden along the Indalsälv...

Jan Frans Soolmaker (Flanders 1635‑1685) Shepherd with Sheep, Cows and a Goat in a Landscape oil on relined canvas canvas size 56 x 53 cm frame i...

Flemish 1600s School The Card Players oil on oak panel panel dimensions 22.5 x 20 cm frame included Provenance: From a Swedish private collection. Condition: Flat and stabl...

This evocative landscape by Axel Edvard Peter captures the serene beauty of nature with remarkable skill. Painted in 1918, the scene depicts a wooden rowboat resting in still waters beneath the sheltering branches of a lush tree. The dappled sunlight filtering through the foliage creates a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, while the artist’s use of short, expressive brushstrokes imbues the composition with a vibrant, almost impressionistic quality. The rich greens and golden hues of the landscape reflect Peter’s mastery of color and atmosphere. Axel Peter was a Swedish painter known for his distinctive artistic voice, shaped by his studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and further training in Paris and Germany. He was part of the influential Opponents’ Movement (Opponentrörelsen) of 1885, alongside artists such as Richard Bergh, Nils Kreuger, and Eugène Jansson...

This painting depicts a pastoral scene that is attributed to the artist Jan Frans Soolmaker, an artist known for his Italianate landscapes and scenes that often feature equestrian and Arcadian elements. The painting is not signed but is attributed to Soolmaker, relating it to a known signed work by the artist that was sold at Sotheby’s London in 1999. The scene is suffused with the warm glow of a setting or rising sun, casting a soft light that is characteristic of Soolmaker’s landscapes. It shows a shepherd guiding a group of cattle across a shallow stream, with the animals taking center stage in the composition. The animals are rendered with careful attention to their forms and the play of light on their bodies, which is a hallmark of Soolmaker's work. The landscape is composed of a rocky terrain with trees and shrubbery, creating a sense of depth and natural beauty that invites the viewer to explore the scene further. The background suggests a vast, open landscape with distant mountains, which adds to the Italianate feel of the painting. The sky is dramatic, with clouds catching the light of the sun, contributing to the overall serene yet dynamic atmosphere of the work. The provenance of the painting is notable, having been in the possession of significant historical figures such as Swedish Prince Fredrik Adolf, and later The collection of Pär Ulmgren, The collection of Gösta Stenman, and Engineer and politician Gustaf Henry Hansson. Potential buyers have the option of choosing between a newly made gold frame or an older brown frame, which allows for personalization in how the work is presented. Soolmaker’s work is often compared to that of Dutch painter Nicolaes Berchem, whose style he emulated. Soolmaker's landscapes reflect a similar sensitivity to light and composition, making his works sought after for their beauty and historical significance. Despite the smaller body of work left by Soolmaker, due to his short career, his paintings are valued for their craftsmanship and the legacy of the artist’s brief but impactful contribution to the Dutch Italianate landscape genre. Information: Jan Frans Soolmaker (Flanders 1635‑1685) Shepherd with Sheep...

A fauvist still life painting of a red cactus flower by Agda Holst (1886-1976). Oil on panel, signed Agda Holst. Probably painted somewhere around 1912-1920 when she had returned to Sweden after her studies abroad. It is painted on a Swedish panel...

This painting is from my series titled "The Untethered Soul." This series delves into the transformative power of nature, capturing the essence of what one feels rather than sees. In...

Justus Lundegård grew up in the Swedish village Hörby. He started his art studies at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts 1880–84 and later in Munich and Paris where he switched to an Impressionist style. In this painting, we can see his later talent for painting white light...

Carl Johansson, also known as "Ultramarin Johansson," was a Swedish artist born in 1863 and known for his distinctive blue-toned paintings. His work often depicted landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes, capturing the beauty and essence of Sweden's natural landscapes. We are proud to offer one of his late works from 1935 for sale. This painting depicts a beautiful landscape from Nordingrå, a small village situated on the High coast of Sweden. The beauty of Nordingrå has captured many artists in the 19th-century, inspiring many famous painters, including Helmer Osslund...

A beautiful still-life of yellow and red tulips in a vase by Karl Nordström (1855-1923), signed 'KN' and dated a tergo 1917. The vibrant flowers are standing in a vase which is placed on a cloth against a bluish-green background. Karl Fredrik Nordström was born on the Swedish west coast on the large island of Tjörn and was a Swedish painter known mostly for his landscape paintings. He came to Stockholm in 1875 and started to study at the Royal Art Academy, where he was tutored by Edvard Perséus, among others. There, he also became close friends with the artists Richard Bergh and Nils Kreuger...

Among Christer Strömholm’s most iconic images is Pojkarna, taken in the Paris suburb of Montreuil in 1962. Two small boys, one curious and leaning i...

Original sculpture 2/8 ex. 2011 - 2020. Silver plated bronze. Acquired directly from the artist. Free shipment worldwide. William Sweetlove, born in Ostend, Belgium, in 1949, unites...

Hjalmar Sandberg (1847-1888) Sweden Harvest Time, 1876 oil on canvas canvas size 14.96 x 18.11 inches (38 x 46 cm) frame 18.70 x 25.59 inches (47.5 ...