Helmer Osslund - Landscape View From Nordingrå, 1916

Helmer Osslund (1866-1938) Sweden

Landscape View From Nordingrå, 1916

signed Helmer Osslund 
watercolor mounted on board
image dimensions 33 x 44 cm (13 x 17.3 inches)
frame 44 x 56 cm (17.3 x 22 inches)
the frame is hand made by Stockholms Bildhuggeri

Provenance:
A Swedish private collection

Essay: 
Helmer Osslund was a renowned Swedish artist known for his expressionist landscape paintings that captured the raw and natural beauty of Sweden. We are delighted to offer for sale a stunning watercolor painting by Osslund titled 'From Nordingrå,' executed circa 1916.

The dating of this piece is interesting; the back of the painting features a pasted page from the Swedish newspaper 'Svenska Dagbladet,' dated 1st May 1916, on which the artist noted the title of the painting in the corner, 'Från Nordingrå.' This not only gives us an intriguing insight into Osslund's work process but also allows us to reasonably assume that the painting was created around 1916.

The subject of the painting is the scenic landscape of Nordingrå in Ångermanland, an area known for its vast expanses and stunning natural beauty. The foreground features the contours of green pines, painted quickly and spontaneously by the artist, a tall mountain to the right, and a body of water in the valley to the left. The background features beautiful blue mountains, characteristic of this region of Sweden. The sky is expertly painted with broad brushstrokes in shades of green, pink, and blue. The painting is beautifully framed with a handcrafted frame from Stockholms Bildhuggeri, which we specially commissioned for this piece.

Osslund's unique approach to landscape painting is evident in this artwork. His use of color and brushwork reflects the influence of the French Impressionists, while his choice of subject matter and his spontaneous approach to capturing the landscape are distinctly his own. This painting is a prime example of Osslund's ability to capture the essence of a place with a fresh and innovative perspective.

Helmer Osslund (1866-1938) was born in Tuna, Medelpad, Sweden. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm but was highly influenced by the modernist movements he encountered during his travels to Germany and France. He is best known for his landscape paintings of northern Sweden, which often feature dramatic vistas and vibrant, expressive use of color. Osslund's work was not widely recognized during his lifetime, but today he is considered one of Sweden's most important landscape painters.

'From Nordingrå' is not just a painting; it is a window into the soul of the Swedish landscape and a reflection of Osslund's innovative approach to capturing the beauty of the world around him. Owning this painting is an opportunity to possess a piece of Swedish art history and the legacy of Helmer Osslund.