Elisabeth Keyser - View from Visby, Gotland

Elisabeth Keyser (1851-1898) Sweden

View from Visby, Gotland, c. 1883

oil on wood panel
signed EKeyser
unframed: 10 x 21 cm (3.9 x 8.3 inches)
framed: 20 x 30.5 cm (7.9 x 12 inches)

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection. 

Condition: 
The painting has just been restored by a professional art conservator in Stockholm. Its colors, which had become dull and dirty over time, have been revived, and the yellowed varnish has been removed. The painting is now in a much better condition. Included, is a handcrafted gold oak frame from Stockholms Förgyllning och Bildhuggeri, one of Europe's finest frame makers.



ESSAY:
This painting by Elisabeth Keyser beautifully captures a scenic view from the northern city wall of Visby, near Lübeckerbräschen. The landscape showcases a stretch of coastline leading up to the impressive medieval walls. Prominently featured are two of Visby's historic towers: the larger Silverhättan and the smaller Jungfrutornet. 

In the background, a serene pinkish sky blends with the sea, while a small sailing boat gracefully traverses the water. The soft, spontaneous brushstrokes used by Keyser give this piece a lively and immediate feel, encapsulating the charm and history of Visby's coastal landscape. 

About Elisabeth Keyser:

Elisabeth Keyser (1851–1898) was a distinguished Swedish painter who studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm before furthering her education in Paris under Léon Bonnat. Keyser exhibited her work at prestigious venues such as the Paris Salon and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today, her works are part of collections at the Nationalmuseum, Göteborgs konstmuseum, and Lund University Art Museum.

About the Towers:

Silverhättan: This corner tower in the northwest section of the city wall gets its name from its previously silver-glowing roof, likely made of lead. Built in the 1400s by the Teutonic Order, Silverhättan was part of the wall's later fortifications. (Image source mittvisby.se)
 

 
Jungfrutornet: Situated between Silverhättan and Murfallet, Jungfrutornet is enveloped in legend. It was built in the 1400s and is associated with tales of betrayal and mystery, giving it a unique place in Visby's history. (Image source mittvisby.se)

Visby and its City Wall:

Visby's city wall, a World Heritage Site, is one of the most well-preserved medieval city walls in Northern Europe. Its rich history and the various towers, like Silverhättan and Jungfrutornet, contribute to the historical and cultural significance of this town on the island of Gotland.

The same view today.



Drawing from the 1800s, attributed to Pehr Arvid Säve.