Bernhard Oscarsson - View over Strandvägen, Stockholm

Bernhard Oscarsson (1894-1977) Swedish

View over Strandvägen, Stockholm

oil on canvas
signed and dated Oscarsson 1933
unframed 54 x 65 cm
framed 70 x 80 cm

Essay:
This painting by Bernhard Oscarsson (1894-1977) is a captivating visual narrative of Stockholm's serene beauty. Oscarsson, a student of Caleb Althin's painting school and the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, honed his craft extensively through his European travels in Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. This particular piece is painted from Blasieholmen, behind the National Museum, with his gaze set towards Strandvägen.

Oscarsson's canvas is a symphony of colors, with each brushstroke contributing to the overall harmony of the scene. The foreground is graced with the tranquil paths of Blasieholmen, lined with welcoming benches and a solitary lamp post standing as a silent sentinel. A solitary figure walks towards the bustling Strandvägen, perhaps lost in thought or simply enjoying the scenic view. The rich foliage on the left provides a stark contrast to the open skies, where soft clouds dance in the light of the setting sun.

The painting's palette is reminiscent of the transitional phase between late impressionism and early modernism, capturing the ephemeral quality of light and the subtle nuances of urban life. It embodies a sense of peace and reflection amidst the daily hum of a growing city. Oscarsson's work is more than a mere depiction of a location; it is a portal to the soul of Stockholm, offering a timeless glimpse into the city's heart through the eyes of an artist who both loved and understood his subject deeply.

Same view today, 90 years later: