Herman Lindqvist - Vy från Skeppsbron mot Katarina kyrka, 1910

Herman Lindqvist (1868-1923) Sweden

View from Skeppsbron towards Katarina Church, 1910
Vy från Skeppsbron mot Katarina kyrka, 1910

oil on board
signed and dated H.Lindqvist 1910.
unframed 35 x 25 cm (ca 13.78 x 9.84 inches)
framed 47 x 37 cm (ca 18.50 x 14.57 inches)

Provenance:
A private collection, Sundsvall. 

Essay:

This exquisite piece by the Swedish artist Herman Lindqvist, titled "View from Skeppsbron towards Katarina Church, 1910," captures a serene and atmospheric moment in Stockholm's history. Executed in 1910, the painting portrays a tranquil scene viewed from Skeppsbron in the heart of Gamla Stan, Stockholm.

The composition highlights the shimmering water in the foreground, reflecting the sun's golden light, which gently blends into the lilac, blue, and yellow hues of the surface. The misty ambiance of the morning or evening light casts a dreamy aura over the scene.

Detailed Elements

In the middle distance, several steamships are depicted, their smokestacks releasing puffs of smoke that drift skyward. This subtle inclusion of the ships and their smoke adds a dynamic yet subdued sense of movement and life to the otherwise calm waterscape.

Dominating the scene is the majestic Katarina Church, rising proudly in the middle of the composition. Painted with soft, muted tones, the church's silhouette is both prominent and gently integrated into the ethereal landscape.

To the right of the church, the imposing figure of the "Höga Stigen Större 17" building can be seen. Constructed between 1907 and 1908, this residential building on Fiskargatan 9 in Södermalm, Stockholm, was controversial at the time, known colloquially as the “Skandalhuset” ("Scandal House") because its height obscured the view of Katarina Church. This structure also gained later fame as the fictional residence of Lisbeth Salander from Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series.

Artistic Background and Style

Herman Lindqvist (born September 14, 1868, in Stockholm – died October 10, 1923) was a Swedish artist celebrated for his sensitive and meticulous landscape paintings. Lindqvist studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts from 1888 to 1893. Over his career, he captured the scenic beauty of various regions, including Skåne, Visby, and particularly the waterways and vistas of Stockholm in his later years. Besides his prowess with oils, he was also an accomplished etcher.

In "View from Skeppsbron towards Katarina Church, 1910," Lindqvist's mastery is evident in his delicate handling of light and color, which creates a harmonious and atmospheric depiction of Stockholm at the dawn of the 20th century. His ability to blend the urban and the natural into a cohesive and tranquil scene is a testament to his talent and keen observational skills. This painting is a magnificent representation of Stockholm's evolving cityscape, seen through the eyes of one of its most sensitive interpreters.