Nils Kreuger - Landscape View from Öland, Sweden

Nils Kreuger (1858-1930) Sweden

Landscape View from Öland, Sweden

oil on canvas
c. 1905
unframed 34 x 27 cm = 13.39 x 10.63 inches 
framed 44 x 37 cm = 17.32 x 14.57 inches

Provenance: 
Fritzes Kungliga Hovbokhandel, Stockholm.

Condition:
The painting has just been restored by our conservator. The colors are now brighter, and the old dirt is removed from the surface. The frame is newly handcrafted by Stockholms Förgyllning and Bildhuggeri, and it is included in the price.

Essay:
We are pleased to offer for sale an exquisite landscape by the Swedish artist, Nils Kreuger (1858–1930), titled "Landscape View from Öland, Sweden" executed around 1905. This work is a remarkable example of Kreuger's unique ability to capture the serene beauty of Swedish landscapes, specifically the island of Öland, where he frequently spent his summers.

In this piece, Kreuger showcases his refined brushwork and his preference for natural scenes at dawn or dusk, as seen in the delicate play of light and shadow. The artist's subtle use of color, particularly his soft greens, earthy browns, and touches of blue, creates a peaceful atmosphere. It reflects his stylistic transition in the early 1900s, where his palette became lighter, and he incorporated small dots in his work, hinting at his exposure to Impressionist influences such as Van Gogh and Gauguin.

This painting is part of Kreuger’s mature period when he began to simplify forms, focusing on the essence of the landscape rather than fine detail, a hallmark of the Varbergsskolan style that he co-founded with Richard Bergh and Karl Nordström. The brushstrokes here suggest movement in the sky, a characteristic element of Kreuger's works, symbolizing the ever-changing nature of the Swedish countryside.

Kreuger’s works can be found in prestigious institutions such as the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, making this piece a valuable acquisition for collectors of Scandinavian art.