Johan Ericson - Boats Along the West Coast of Sweden, 1895

Johan Ericson (1849-1925) Sweden

Boats Along the West Coast of Sweden, 1895
(Vy från västkusten med båtar, 1895)

oil on wood panel
signed and dated joh.Ericson 95.
unframed 24 x 19 cm (9.45 x 7.48 inches)
framed 34 x 29 cm (13.39 x 11.42 inches)

Condition:
The painting is in excellent condition, having recently been restored by a professional art conservator. The colors are now remarkably vibrant, and the painting has regained the brightness it had when first created in 1895. It comes with a handcrafted frame made by Stockholms Förgyllning och Bildhuggeri, one of Europe’s leading frame makers.

Essay:
This beautiful painting, "Boats Along the West Coast of Sweden, 1895" by Johan Ericson, captures a serene scene of boats resting by the Swedish coastline. The artist, well-known for drawing inspiration from the west coast, skillfully portrays the play of light as it pierces through the clouds in the sky, creating a stunning atmosphere. Despite the painting's modest dimensions—24 x 19 cm—it exudes immense "wall power," commanding attention with its subtle elegance and dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

Created in 1895, this piece is a testament to Ericson's mastery of light and mood, elements he honed during his studies in France, where he associated with the light and atmosphere painters of the time. The boats, gently moored along the calm coastal waters, evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, while the shifting sky hints at the changing weather—a common theme in Ericson's coastal works.

Johan Ericson (1849-1925), born in Karlshamn, Sweden, was a prominent Swedish artist. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and spent several years in France, where he assisted Alfred Wahlberg. Upon returning to Sweden, he became a teacher at Chalmers University and served as the head of Valand's School of Fine Arts.

His works, often depicting the Swedish landscape, can be found in major museums like the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and the Gothenburg Museum of Art. Ericson’s legacy lives on through his powerful depictions of Sweden's coastal beauty, and this painting is a perfect example of his artistic vision.