Anna Palm de Rosa - Skijoring, 1902

Anna Palm de Rosa (1859-1924)

Skijoring, 1902

watercolor on paper mounted on tree panel
unframed 108 x 130,5 cm
framed 125 x 147 cm
signed Anna Palm de Rosa Pris de Stockholm (from Stockholm)
painted March 31 1902

Provenance: 
A private collection Paris.

Essay:
"Skijoring, 1902" by Anna Palm de Rosa stands as a testament to her exceptional skill in watercolor painting and her versatility as an artist. This grand watercolor, measuring 108 x 130,5 cm, is one of the largest known from de Rosa's oeuvre. Unlike her commonly depicted urban Stockholm landscapes, often featuring Stockholm Palace, this scene is a rare glimpse into the winter sports of the era, capturing the adventurous spirit of skijoring—a sport where individuals are pulled on skis by a horse.

The painting's composition showcases a serene, snow-laden landscape bathed in the soft glow of a winter's dusk. Its idyllic charm and detailed depiction of leisure are reminiscent of the works of Jenny Nyström, yet it holds a distinct place in de Rosa's catalog due to its unique subject matter.

Anna Sofia Palm de Rosa (1859-1924) was a Swedish artist renowned for her landscape paintings. Daughter of professor and Royal Court and Landscape painter Gustaf Wilhelm Palm, she was embedded in the arts from a young age, receiving private lessons from her father in her teens. Her home in Stockholm served as a hub for the city's artistic community, fostering her growth as an artist.

De Rosa became one of Sweden's most sought-after painters in the 1890s, renowned for her idyllic watercolors of Stockholm, the Bohuslän archipelago, and scenes from France and Italy. Besides landscapes, she also painted Christmas and postcards. Her exhibitions spanned from the Swedish Academy of Fine Arts to her last show at the Baltic Exhibition in Malmö in 1914.

In a move that reflects her personal life blending into her artistic journey, she left Sweden on New Year's Eve of 1895, settling first in Paris and then in Italy. It was in Capri that she met Alfredo de Rosa, an infantry lieutenant whom she married in 1901. Her relocation did not sever her artistic ties with Stockholm; she continued to paint the city's vistas, often using photographs by Frans Gustaf Klemming as references.

"Skijoring, 1902" was created a year after her marriage, during a period when her artistic output was rich with nostalgia and a deepened perspective from her new life in Italy. This work is a celebration of her enduring connection to her homeland's culture and her mastery of capturing its beauty. It remains a cherished piece that not only depicts a moment in sports history but also encapsulates the timeless allure of winter's grace.