Oskar Bergman - A Miniature Landscape With Birch Trees

Oskar Bergman (1879-1963) Sweden

A Miniature Landscape With Birch Trees

watercolor on paper
signed Oskar Bergman 
unframed c. 5.5 x 4 cm
framed 15.5 x 13.5 cm

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection. 

Essay:
This exquisite miniature watercolor by Oskar Bergman, measuring just 5.5 x 4 cm, beautifully captures the essence of a serene Swedish landscape. In this scene, slender birch trees, with their white bark and delicate branches, stand gracefully against a deep blue sky. In the background, the landscape unfolds gently, with a glimmering body of water reflecting the tranquility of the scene, and blue-tinged mountains softly fading into the distance. The foreground is dotted with wildflowers, adding a touch of color and life to the composition.

Oskar Bergman, born on October 18, 1879, in Stockholm, was a highly regarded Swedish painter and graphic artist known for his detailed and realistic depictions of the central Swedish landscape. Despite being self-taught, Bergman developed a distinctive style, particularly in watercolor and gouache, which allowed him to render the subtleties of nature with great precision and sensitivity. Throughout his career, he made numerous study trips across Europe, which enriched his artistic expression and broadened his perspective.

Bergman's works are held in high esteem and are represented in several prestigious institutions, including the Nationalmuseum, the Thiel Gallery, and the Norrköping Art Museum. He lived for many years near Neglinge Gård in Saltsjöbaden, where he eventually passed away on July 20, 1963.