Ture Ander - A Värmland Lake View

Ture Ander (1881-1959) Sweden

A Värmland Lake View, 1945

oil on board
signed and dated Ture Ander 1945
unframed 61 x 75 cm (24.02 x 29.53 inches)
framed 71 x 84 cm (27.95 x 33.07 inches)

Provenance: 
A private collection Sundsvall, Sweden

Essay:
This landscape "A Värmland Lake View, 1945" by Ture Ander, completed in 1945, captures the serene beauty of a Värmland lake. The composition is dominated by soft, blue hues that give a tranquil feel, suggesting a calm day by the water. The trees in the foreground, depicted with a delicate blend of pink and earthy tones, add depth and contrast to the expansive lake and distant hills.

Ture Ander was born on September 17, 1880, in Askers socken, Örebro. At the age of 13, he moved to Stockholm to apprentice as a painter. While working during the day, he pursued evening courses at the Technical School, now known as Konstfack, where he graduated in 1903 with high honors in painting.

In 1905, Ander was accepted into the prestigious Artist Association School, studying alongside prominent artists such as Leander Engström, Isaac Grünewald, and Einar Nerman. His talent and dedication earned him a place in the notable 1909 exhibition "De Unga," which showcased emerging young artists.

Ander's quest for artistic growth took him to Paris, where he studied at the Académie Colarossi from 1911 to 1912. During his time in Paris, he was deeply influenced by the works of Paul Cézanne, whose approach to color and composition left a lasting impact on his style.

Upon returning to Sweden, Ture Ander married Ragnhild Franzén, a former student of the Fjæstad sisters. The couple eventually settled in Orrhöjda by Lake Racken in Värmland. Life was often challenging for the Anders, with financial difficulties being a constant companion. Despite these hardships, Ture continued to paint, while Ragnhild supplemented their income by gathering berries and mushrooms, and Ture himself turned to hunting and fishing.

The later years of Ture Ander's life were marked by profound sorrow following the prolonged illness and subsequent death of his beloved wife, Ragnhild. This period of personal grief is reflected in the somber tones and introspective mood of his later works.