Gottfrid Kallstenius - Silent Night, 1921

Gottfrid Kallstenius (1861-1943) Sweden

Silent Night, 1921

oil on canvas
signed and dated G Kallstenius, -21
canvas dimensions: 96 x 135 cm (37.8 x 53.1 inches)
frame: 112 x 151 cm (44.1 x 59.4 inches)

Provenance:
A private collection, Stockholm;
Stockholms Auktionsverk, "Stilla natt, 1923",
lot 3086429, 22 okt 2023

Condition:
The painting has recently been restored by a conservator and is perceived to be in very good condition. The canvas is smooth, and the colors are bright and clear. There are small, fine craquelures present, as can be expected with any 100 years old paintings. The frame, likely the original, is in good condition and is included in the purchase.

Essay:
"Silent Night, 1921" by Gottfrid Kallstenius is a wonderful painting that captures the beauty of the Swedish archipelago in moonlight. In our opinion, we think that this painting is arguably one of Kallstenius's most beautiful works, showcasing his unique ability to capture serene moments with emotional depth and technical precision with his brush. The location of the scene is from Tättö towards Kalvö in Sweden.
In the foreground, a couple is gently cradled by a rowboat, adrift in the still waters under a moonlit sky. The moon's reflection on the water creates a path of light that leads the viewer's eye through the painting, highlighting Kallstenius skillful hand of light and shadow.

The inclusion of a distant sailboat adds a layer of depth to the composition, suggesting the vastness of the landscape and the presence of life beyond the intimate scene in the rowboat. Kallstenius's use of muted tones and soft brushstrokes enhances the painting's dreamlike quality, inviting the viewer to immerse themselves in the peacefulness of the moment. The delicate interplay of light and reflection, combined with the subtle gradation of the sky's colors, demonstrates Kallstenius's mastery over his medium and his profound understanding of the nordic light.

Gottfrid Kallstenius, born in Västervik, Sweden, was an artist whose journey took him through various phases of learning and exploration. From his early education under Edvard Perséus to his formative years at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Kallstenius developed a foundation that would support a lifetime of artistic achievement. His travels in Paris, Brittany, and Italy, alongside his wife Gerda Roosval, further enriched his palette and influenced his shift from Realism to exploring new stylistic territories.

Despite his diverse artistic endeavors, which included teaching, mural painting, and writing about the art of oil painting, it is in works like "Silent Night, 1921" that Kallstenius's legacy truly shines.