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Josef Frank Table or Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
A mirror for table or wall in brass and stained walnut. Designed by Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn in the 1950s. Excellent vintage condition.    
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stockholm

Materials

Brass

Swedish modern walnut and beech relief cabinet by David Blomberg, 1940s
By David Blomberg
Located in Hägersten, SE
Cabinet designed by David Blomberg. Produced in Sweden by his own company Sala Möbelfabrik during the 1940s. Made from Walnut veneer with beech inlays and solid beech wood legs and r...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Brass

Sunlit Forest and Distant Blue Mountains – A Northern Swedish Landscape by Lycke
Located in Stockholm, SE
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 ...
Category

1910s Post-Impressionist Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Board

Large 12 Arms Amber Glass and Iron Chandelier Candelabra by Erik Höglund Sweden
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Stockholm, SE
This beautiful amber and clear art glass on wrought iron candelabra chandelier was designed by Erik Höglund for Boda Smide. Erik Hö...
Category

1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Wrought Iron

An iconic pewter bowl by Anna Petrus for Firma Svenskt Tenn 1928 / Swedish Grace
By Svenskt Tenn, Anna Petrus, Estrid Ericson
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful solid pewter bowl with lion paws, decor of flowers and leafs. Designed by Anna Petrus for Firma Svenskt Tenn (celebrated 100 years 2024). This bowl shows Petrus elegant...
Category

1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Pewter

Christ on the Cold Stone – After Jan Gossaert (Mabuse)
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

16th Century Old Masters Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer. Painted 1884
By Elias Erdtman
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elias Erdtman (Sweden, 1863–1945) Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer oil on canvas laid on board signed E. Erdman och daterad -84 unframed: 29 x 18.5 cm (11.4 x 7.3 inches) framed:...
Category

1880s Impressionist Stockholm

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Midcentury "Maria" Dining Table by Bruno Mathsson
By Bruno Mathsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
First edition “Maria” dining table by Bruno Mathsson, made with a teak table top and beech legs. Beautiful brass locking mechanism that keeps the middle part from moving when folded....
Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Brass

Vintage Midcentury "Camel" Floor Lamp by Josef Frank, Sweden, 1950s
By Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant “Camel” floor lamp by Josef Frank, made from brass. Curved neck, extendable height. Wide, plisséd shade.
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Brass

Composition with Head
Located in Stockholm, SE
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 ...
Category

1950s Constructivist Stockholm

Materials

Paper, Crayon, Pastel, Mixed Media

Pinewood Room Divider by Alvar Aalto for Artek, Finland, 1940s
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Stockholm, SE
Beautiful room divider by Alvar Aalto, made from vertical slats of pine, snugly adjoined. Can be shaped in various ways and stands steadily on the ground.
Category

1940s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Pine

Hans Kögl, "Coco Chanel" - metal wheatsheaf side table, Hollywood Regency
By Hans Kögl
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare sidetable in wheatsheaf shaped white lacquered metal and glass top. by Hans Kögl 1960/70s. Coco Chanel had the larger model of this table in her home/hotel room at The Ritz ...
Category

1970s German Hollywood Regency Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Metal

Signet Ring Memento Mori Style Skull Emerald
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emerald Crest Ring Signet Ring Skull Memento Mori Style Gold Plated Silver J DAUPHIN signature piece " Secret Doors" Memento mori ring featuring a skull motif with emerald or ruby eyes. This unisex signet ring is inspired by mourning jewelry and symbolic talismans that reflect on mortality, transformation, and the afterlife. Designed as a spiritual ring with a gothic aesthetic, it incorporates elements of vanitas jewelry and metaphysical symbolism. The skull is set with black or white diamonds and detailed with fine craftsmanship, making it ideal as a death-themed ring, gothic signet, or spiritual statement piece. This skull ring is available with custom gemstone eyes and in multiple materials including gold and silver. The unisex design suits both men and women. The ring draws from historical themes of remembrance jewelry and Latin Christian philosophy, often used to express detachment from worldly vanity and focus on the soul. Popular among collectors of antique-inspired jewelry, talismanic rings, and symbolic adornment, this piece fits into categories such as gothic jewelry...
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Stockholm

Materials

Emerald, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver

A Small Old Painting Called Rocky Path With Figures
By Thomas Barker of Bath
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

Early 19th Century Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Panel

Classic Pink Murano Chandelier Tronchi
By Toni Zuccheri
Located in Bromma, SE
Elegant, Bold Pink Murano Chandelier. Tubular Tronchi Formed Glass Prisms in Traditional Italian Mid-Century Style. The murano fixture is composed of 36 Glass Elements in the size of...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stockholm

Materials

Chrome

Spanish high back ladder chairs, a pair, mid-1900s, goatskin and linen seats.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare pair of high back ladder chairs, Spain mid-1900s.. Re-upholstered in goatskin and linen. Sculptural, decorative and functional.
Category

1940s Spanish Spanish Colonial Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Goatskin, Linen

Large Seven Arms Chandelier Solid Pine with Fabric Shades by Luxus Sweden, 1960s
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus of Sweden, Luxus Vittsjö, Uno Kristiansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
This unique, NOS; New Old Stock, never used solid pine wood, seven-light chandelier was created in this “golden age of Scandinavian design”, a period that saw the revival of an eleme...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Iron

Mid-century modern handblown Scandinavian bright red sommerso art glass vase
By Bodafors
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
An amazing handblown vintage handblown bright red sommerso signed glass vase, made and signed by Ernst Gordon for Åfors, Sweden. The vase has a fantastic teardrop shape, yet it is th...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Art Glass, Sommerso

Set of 3 Hallway Pendants Spotlights - White Shades & Brass fittings
By Art Brass Co.
Located in Bromma, SE
Set of 3 Matte White Spotlights for wall as well as ceiling. The lamps work great in a hallway or over a kitchen island as they are short in height but still got a lot of character i...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stockholm

Materials

Brass, Cut Steel

Large Maritime Oil Painting Called Breakers at Utö, 1928
Located in Stockholm, SE
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 ...
Category

1920s Post-Impressionist Stockholm

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Early Painting from Puerto Orotava (Puerto de la Cruz), Tenerife, 1894
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1890s Impressionist Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Board

Portrait of a Man – A Dramatic Study in Light and Expression
Located in Stockholm, SE
This compelling portrait, recently studied by Stéphane Pinta of the esteemed Cabinet Turquin in Paris, has been confidently attributed to the Austrian painter Matthäus (Matthias) Lod...
Category

Late 18th Century Old Masters Stockholm

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Set of 12 Plates, Piero Fornasetti, Adamo / Adam
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Stockholm, SE
12 plates of model Adamo (Adam) designed by Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s. Piero Fornasetti created one set of Adam and one set of Eva containing 12 plates each. These plates are 26 ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury "Prag" Lounge Chair by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, Denmark, 1950s
By Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant lounge chair and footstool by Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell, model called “Prag”. Made from beech with sheepskin upholstery. Generous size and lovely details, like the neck cu...
Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Green Ceramic Vase with handles Eva Jancke-Björk - Bo Fajans 1940s
By Bo Fajans, Eva Jancke-Björk
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely green art deco vase in ceramic with lovely handles designed by Eva Jancke-Björk at Bo Fajans in Gefle in the 1940s. The vase is 13.5 cm high and 16.5 cm in diameter. It is i...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stockholm

Materials

Ceramic

Large Swedish Stump Chair 'Kubbstol' ca 1950
Located in Farsta, SE
Large Swedish Stump Chair 'Kubbstol' ca 1950 Made of solid pine. Heigth: 93 cm/36.6 inch Depth: 52 cm/20.4 inch Width: 57 cm/22.4 inch Seat Heigth: 47 cm/18.5 inch
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Pine

Set of ten Midcentury "Sawbuck" dining chairs, Hans J. Wegner, Denmark, 1960s
By Knud Faerch, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of ten “Sawbuck” dining chairs by Hans J. Wegner, made from beech with teak backrests and cognac leather seats. Wonderful rustic design, great to sit on.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Leather, Teak, Beech

Set of 4 Murano Corridor Wall Sconces with sand colored glass prisms
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Bromma, SE
Pair of Murano Wall Lamps consisting of 17 handmade crystal prisms in sand colored murano glass. Lamp structure of metal with fittings painted in a light brown, bronzy tone. Glass fr...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Stockholm

Materials

Glass

Black Diamond White Diamond Star Ball Necklace Black Enamel
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond White Diamond Star Ball Chain Necklace Black Enamel Material 14k Gold plate Gems: White Diamond and Black Diamond Enamel Length: Long 28" Designer: J DAUPHIN Whit...
Category

2010s Indian Contemporary Stockholm

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel

Moonstone Cocktail Ring
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Moonstone Cocktail Ring 14k Gold Plated Silver Ring in Black Enamel Designer: J Dauphin Moonstone – The Stone of Inner Light and Divine Feminine, Moonstone has long been regarded ...
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Stockholm

Materials

Moonstone, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Silver

Eclectic Turquoise Murano Chandelier with 36 Tronchi Tubes
By Toni Zuccheri
Located in Bromma, SE
Eclectic Bold Murano Chandelier in a minty tone. The murano fixture is composed of 36 Glass Elements in the size of 25 x7 cm (9.9" x 2.8"). New wiring. EU, UK and US wiring is comp...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stockholm

Materials

Chrome

Curved sheeps skin sofa model Fritz Hansen FH 1669, FDB production 1950s
By Fritz Hansen, FDB Møbler
Located in Hägersten, SE
Curved four seater sofa model 1669 by Fritz Hansen. This curved model later production on license by FDB (Fritz Hansen design) from the 1950s. Reupholstered in beige sheep skin with ...
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Sheepskin, Birch

Pair of CH-27 oak and cane weave lounge chairs by Hans J. Wegner, Carl Hansen
By Carl Hansen & Søn, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Hägersten, SE
Pair of lounge chairs model CH-27 designed by Hans J. Wegner. Produced in Denmark by Carl Hansen & Søn during the 1950s. Made from solid oak with cane weave seats. Beautiful patina a...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Cane, Oak

Old Master Painting, Flemish School from 1600s, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

17th Century Old Masters Stockholm

Materials

Copper

Three Arm Solid Pine Chandelier by Luxus Sweden, 1960s
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus of Sweden, Uno Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in Stockholm, SE
‎‎Swedish lighting manufacturer, Luxus gave form to some of the now iconic models that define the “Swedish mid-century style”. This solid pine wood, three-light chandelier was create...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Fabric, Plastic, Pine

Midcentury Modern Sheepskin lounge chairs, Denmark, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of striking Danish Modern lounge chairs, in an oversized, functionalist design. Upholstered with sheepskin, compact wooden feet.
Category

1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Swedish Smoking Table, oak with copper top, 1913 by Nordiska Kompaniet
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet), Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful sidetable / smoking table in solid oak with hammered copper top. Made by Nordiska Kompaniet in 1913, model Tenn. Nice patina, smaller / normal signs of age and use. Sta...
Category

1910s Swedish Jugendstil Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Copper

Oil Painting Depicting Sunset Over Svolvær, Lofoten
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1960s Naturalistic Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Board

A rare Swedish Grace vase by Sylvia Stave, artistic leader at CG Hallberg, 1930s
By CG Hallberg, Sylvia Stave
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase in pewter with beutiful circular handles, Swedish Grace / Art Deco by Sylvia Stave for CG Hallberg. Sylvia Stave and Estrid Ericson were the two most prominent women within pe...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Pewter

Larger Swedish Heavy Bronse Vase ca 1930
Located in Farsta, SE
Larger Swedish Heavy Bronse Vase ca 1930 Marked Brons Athena Ystad. Height: 17 cm/6.6 inch Depth: 11.5 cm/4.5 inch Width: 14 cm/5.5 inch
Category

1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Bronze

Hand-blown Art Deco Murano Wall Sconce in Art Glass. 1940s.
By Paolo Venini
Located in Bromma, SE
1940's Murano Wall Lamp of Brass and Glass. The Glass Shades have a Finish in Corroso with Gold Foil. The sconce have 2 Pin bulbs 15 w [included and will be sent together with the l...
Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Black & White Round Spheral Vase Domino, Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg, 1950s
By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
A lovely spheral vase in porcelain designed by Stig Lindberg at Gustavsberg. It is 9.5 cm in diameter. It is in excellent condition and one of the most iconically designs from the 19...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Antique Stockholm

Materials

Ceramic

Flower pots or planters by Anita Nylund for Jie, Sweden
By Anita Nylund, JIE Gantofta
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A pair of very nice hand painted vintage porcelain flowerpots made by Anita Nylund for JIE Keramik, Sweden. These pots have fantastic colors depicting a traditional Swedish midsummer...
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Ceramic

Large Blue Ceramic Bowl - Carl-Harry Stålhane - Rörstrand - 1950s
By Rörstrand, Carl-Harry Stålhane
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large blue ceramic bowl from Rörstrand, Sweden, designed by Carl-Harry Stålhane in the 1950s. The bowl is in excellent condition except from ...
Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Ceramic

Diamond Black Enamel Ring Fleur de Lis
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Black Enamel Ring Fleur de Lis Ring with black Enamel, inspired by Victorian Age, Memento Mori Designer: J Dauphin The Fleur-de-Lis, directly inspired by the resplendent F...
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Stockholm

Materials

Diamond, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel

Siebe Gorman Fire Fighter Smoke Mask
By Siebe Gorman & Co.
Located in Stockholm, SE
This is an early Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. smoke mask. These full face helmets are very rare and found mostly in museum collections. This example looks and feels like it´s never have ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Industrial Antique Stockholm

Materials

Metal

Swedish Modern Armchairs Attributed to Gösta Jonsson in Floweral Fabric, 1940s
By Gösta Jonsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Swedish mid century modern armchairs attributed to Gösta Jonsson / Otto Schulz in beech wood feet and original green floweral fabric produced in Sweden, 1940s. In good o...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Fabric, Beech

Rare Wes Lang Chateau Marmont Contemporary Ink on Paper Artwork, 2009
By Wes Lang
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare "Hi There" contemporary artwork / ink on paper by Wes Lang from the iconic Chateau Marmont series, 2009. In great condition. Professionally framed in oak and signed on the back....
Category

Early 2000s American Arts and Crafts Stockholm

Materials

Glass, Oak, Paper

Mid Century Wooden Wardrobe by Le Corbusier for the Unité d’Habitation, 1940s
By Le Corbusier
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare French wooden mid century wardrobe in yellow lacquered wood with dark stained oak handles by Le Corbusier for the Unité d’Habitation in Marseille, France 1940s. In good vin...
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Steel

Early Danish Ceiling Lamp Pendant "PH-3 / D.R.P" by Poul Henningsen, 1930s
By Louis Poulsen, Poul Henningsen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and early white / yellow Danish mid century ceiling lamp / pendant in brass and opaline glass by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen produced in Denmark, 1930s. In good origi...
Category

1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Brass

A Spring Sunset, Original Oil Painting from 1952
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

1950s Romantic Stockholm

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Narni Landscape Drawing
Located in Stockholm, SE
“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...
Category

1840s Other Art Style Stockholm

Materials

Paper, Pencil

Brazilian Mid Century Free Form Wooden Sofa Table attr. to José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare Brazilian mid century sculptural wooden free form coffee / sofa table attributed to José Zanine Caldas with nice patina and natural cracks and old repairs. In good vintage condi...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Elm

Victorian Style Snake Cuff Bracelet Opal Black Diamond
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian Style Snake Cuff Bracelet Opal Black Diamond Designer: J Dauphin Snake bracelet bangle in 14k gold plate, set with an opal on the head and black diamond eyes, designed in...
Category

2010s American Contemporary Stockholm

Materials

Black Diamond, Opal, Brass, 14k Gold, Gold Plate

Rare exquisite bronze floor lamp with entwined snakes, early 1900s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Exquisite workmanship behind this bronze Floor Lamp, with decor of three entwined serpents / snakes. Lovely details. Original shade is included if buyer wishes, the fabric had dama...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Stockholm

Materials

Bronze

Finnish Mid Century "5061" Table Lamp in Brass by Paavo Tynell for Taito, 1940s
By Paavo Tynell, Taito Oy
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare mid century version of the "5061" brass desk / table lamp by Paavo Tynell produced by Taito Oy Finland, 1940s. In good original condition with patina from aging. Stamped un...
Category

1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Stockholm

Materials

Brass

Mats Theselius Chrome Steel & Dark Leather Two Seater Sofa for Källemo, 1990s
By Källemo, Mats Theselius
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and special commissioned two seater sofa in chrome and dark leather by Mats Theselius produced by Källemo Sweden, 1990s. In great original condition with light signs of age...
Category

1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stockholm

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Rustic Charm of the French Countryside, French School
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

Mid-19th Century French School Stockholm

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Shipping in Stormy Waters, Attributed to Italian Artist Francesco Guardi
By Francesco Guardi
Located in Stockholm, SE
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...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Stockholm

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Silver by Nanna Ditzel for Georg Jensen Designed 1955
By Georg Jensen and Nanna Ditzel
Located in Stockholm, SE
This silver bracelet is part of the Capsule Collection created in the mid-1950s. The bracelet has a bold, sculptural design with a smooth, lustrous surface. It is wide and asymmetric...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Stockholm

Materials

Silver

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