Rikard Lindström - Winter Landscape

Rikard Lindström (1882-1943) Swedish

Winter Landscape

oil on canvas
signed Rikard Lindström
unframed 71 x 100 cm
framed 78 x 108 cm

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection

Essay: 

Depicting a winter wonderland, this piece mesmerizes the viewer with its turquoise sky - a bold and unique choice that draws the eyes upwards. But the narrative is more profound. Set against this sky is a distant, rugged stone hill, standing as a testament to the timeless beauty of nature. A few trees benethe the hill, gracefully blanketed with snow. The snow itself is no ordinary white, but a mix of pink and blue shimmers, giving the piece a more interesting quality.

More intriguing are the tracks left in the snow. Whose might they be? An animal, perhaps? Or did the artist himself tread this frozen landscape, leaving behind a subtle signature? Such is the mystery of Lindström's work.

Rikard Magnus Lindström (1882-1943) was not just a painter but a storyteller, deeply rooted in his Swedish heritage. He's best known for his paintings of archipelago scenes, where the tranquil and tempestuous moods of the sea often play central characters. Born in Stockholm, Lindström's journey into the art world began at the Konstakademien in Stockholm, and his passion took him to Copenhagen and Paris. Throughout his life, Lindström's restless spirit saw him wander, capturing the diverse landscapes of Stockholm's archipelago, Västkusten, Åland, and notably, Lofoten. His affinity for portraying the vast expanse of the sea, often with sailing vessels in the backdrop, is legendary.

Lindström's colors were described as "powerful yet harmonious," and this piece is no exception. The juxtaposition of the turquoise sky with the shimmering snow showcases his masterful play with colors.

A member of the younger generation of the Konstnärsförbundet, Lindström was greatly influenced by the older members, particularly by Karl Nordström's national-romantic paintings. Besides painting, Lindström had a flair for writing and was a popular contributor to Dagens Nyheter, often penning articles and notes in Morgonbris.

However, beneath the vivacious, nature-loving exterior was a man of depth and complexity, as his ex-wife, Martha Rydell-Lindström, has depicted in her book. He was a lover of life, but his nature held layers of vulnerability and tenderness.

Today, this winter landscape stands as a tribute not just to Lindström's artistic genius but to the very essence of the man himself. Embrace the opportunity to own a piece of Swedish art history, painted by an artist whose legacy continues to inspire.

Rikard Lindströms paintings can be seen in many museums across the Nordic region, such as: 

Modern Museum (Moderna Museet)
Gothenburg Art Museum (Göteborgs Konstmuseum
Thiel Gallery (Thielska Galleriet)
Stockholm City Museum (Stockholms Stadsmuseum)
Norrköping Art Museum (Norrköpings Konstmuseum)
Helsingborg Museum (Helsingborgs Museum)
Maritime Museum (Sjöhistoriska Museet)
Västergötland Museum (Västergötlands Museum)
North Norwegian Art Museum (Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum)
National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst) in Copenhagen
Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde (Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde)
Zorn Museum (Zornmuseet)
Mariehamn Town Hall (Mariehamns stadshus)
Museums in Helsinki (Museum i Helsingfors)