Gottfrid Kallstenius - Månskära

Gottfrid Kallstenius (1861-1943) Sweden

Månskära

oil on board "Nyblom No K. 10 / AB Wilhelm Becker"
signed G.Kallstenius
unframed 49 x 54 cm (ca 19.3 x 21.3 inches) 
framed 55 x 61 cm (ca 21.7 x 24 inches)

Provenance: 
Bo Stenhammar, Källvik;
A private collection Stockholm

Condition: 
The painting has recently undergone professional restoration by a skilled conservator. The colors are bright and clear, bringing out the full depth of the scene. The board is in a good condition. The frame is newly crafted to beautifully complement the artwork.

Essay:
We are pleased to present Månskära, a captivating landscape painting by the Swedish artist Gottfrid Kallstenius. The view is taken from the artist's own property in Källvik, located by the Djupsundet strait, the inlet to Loftahammar. The tranquil scene captures the artist’s deep connection with the archipelago, particularly the area around Tättö, where he spent many summers with his family.

From 1902 onward, Kallstenius and his family began spending their summers in Källvik, a seaside resort in the Tjust archipelago, north of Västervik. In 1904, they built their home along with an atelier, allowing Kallstenius to immerse himself in the beauty of the Swedish landscape. His fondness for Källvik is reflected in many of his works, and Månskärais a prime example of this, showcasing the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the Swedish archipelago.

The painting displays a delicate crescent moon hanging over a twilight sky, with trees silhouetted against the fading light. The still waters in the background add to the sense of calm, inviting viewers to experience a quiet evening scene as Kallstenius saw it. His choice of light and shadow creates a tranquil yet evocative mood, characteristic of his later works where he moved away from Realism toward a more decorative and atmospheric style.

Gottfrid Kallstenius (1861–1943) was a prominent Swedish painter, known for his landscapes and decorative works. He trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and later continued his studies in Paris and Brittany, where he was influenced by modern European art movements. Over the course of his career, he became a respected artist and teacher, contributing to several large-scale public works and publishing texts on the art of oil painting.