Rikard Lindström - Canal Scene

Rikard Lindström (1882-1943) Sweden

Canal Scene, Early 1900s

oil on paper laid on masonite
signed R Lindström
unframed 33.5 x 26.5 cm
framed 42.5 x 35.5 cm
authenticated by Gustaf Jaensson on the back.

Essay:
For sale is a captivating painting by the Swedish artist, Rikard Lindström (1882-1943). Depicting a picturesque water canal, with charming houses lining its left side, this artwork radiates warmth and spontaneity. Two boats float gently on the water, while a crane stands tall in the distance. The painting exudes a palpable immediacy, with the varied brushwork – from thin, almost ephemeral strokes in the sky to the thicker, more pronounced ones – suggesting that it was painted on-site. In fact, small holes at the corners of the paper hint that Lindström might have painted it directly on point, most likely in Paris during the early 1900s.

About Rikard Lindström: A Journey Through Art and Travel

Born in Stockholm, Rikard Lindström established himself as a master of maritime and archipelago motifs. He began his artistic journey at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm in 1901, later expanding his horizons with studies under Kristian Zahrtmann in Copenhagen from 1902 to 1905 and many travels to Paris. The spirit of a wanderer, Lindström's travels across locations like Stockholm's archipelago, the West Coast, Åland, and particularly Lofoten, Norway, profoundly influenced his art.

Lindström's works often portrayed the sea in all its moods and vessels from behind, revealing a keen interest in life by the water. The bold yet harmonious colors in his pieces speak volumes of his deep appreciation for the maritime world.

Being part of the younger faction of the Artists' Association, Lindström was inspired by the older members like Karl Nordström and his national-romantic paintings. Lindström's work has been exhibited extensively, from Stockholm to Berlin, Venice, and the USA.

Furthermore, Rikard Lindström wasn't just an artist but also a writer, contributing articles and musings to newspapers like Dagens Nyheter.

Lindström's legacy in art is preserved in numerous museums. His works can be found in esteemed institutions like the Moderna Museet, Göteborgs Konstmuseum, Thielska Galleriet, and many more across Sweden and beyond, including the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen and museums in Helsinki.