Carl Johansson - Stockholm Archipelago, 1929

Carl Johansson (1862 - 1944) Sweden

Stockholm Archipelago, 1929

oil on wood panel
signed and dated Carl Johansson 1929
panel dimensions 10.23 x 15.74 inches (26 x 40 cm)
with frame 14.56 x 20 inches (37 x 51 cm)

Essay:
This painting called "Stockholm Archipelago, 1929" captures a serene landscape from the famous Stockholm archipelago.
The viewed is from a hilltop, and in the foreground of the painting we can see a rooftop and some tree crowns, while in the center, we see the water with a glimpse of land on either side. In the distance, we can see the vastness of the Baltic Sea.

The painting is executed in short, spontaneous brushstrokes, characteristic of late impressionism. It captures the beginning of autumn, with trees displaying shades of green, yellow, and red, and a lightly clouded sky in a beautiful blue tone, a hallmark of Johansson's later works. This particular piece was painted in 1929 when Johansson lived at Lidingö, Stockholm. 

Carl Johansson was a member of the Opponents movement and was one of the youngest members to help establish the Swedish konstnärsförbundet. He traveled extensively throughout Europe and even visited Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Known for his depictions of Norrland, the northernmost region of Sweden, Johansson was a friend of other prominent landscape artists such as Anton Genberg and Helmer Osslund.
This small painting offers a glimpse into Johansson's mastery of capturing the Swedish landscapes with some well-placed brushstrokes.