Varberg harbour

Varberg harbour

Mathilda Ranch was a successful photographer with an atelier in Varberg in 1881—1922. She was an important “education centre” for young women from different parts of the country who wanted to learn the photography profession. Mathilda Caroline Ranch was born in 1860 in Copenhagen. Her parents were Theresia Walter and Wilhelm Ranch. Her mother came… Continue reading Varberg harbour

Sunshine

Sunshine

Fanny Brate was a genre painter who depicted Swedish nature, folklore, and home interiors. She also painted portraits. Fanny Brate was born in Stockholm in 1861. Her father was Johan Frans Gustaf Oscar Ekbom, who served as a royal factor for King Oscar II. Her mother was Henriette Alexandrine Dahlgren. Fanny Brate trained as an… Continue reading Sunshine

The Annunciation

The Annunciation

Sigrid Blomberg was a significant sculptor, best known for her sacred art. Sigrid Blomberg grew up on her father’s farm in Skärshult, Småland along with five siblings. She was the daughter of Charlotte Lundqvist and the property owner Alfred Blomberg. Sigrid Blomberg spent her school years at the Nisbeth girls’ school in Kalmar. She began… Continue reading The Annunciation

Yvonne fille de Bretonne

Yvonne fille de Bretonne

Ruth Milles was a well-known artist of the early twentieth century, who was particularly known for her statuettes. Ruth Milles grew up on Örby farm in Uppland in a francophile environment. Her father, Emil Andersson, had served as a second lieutenant in the French campaigns in Tunisia and received the order of the Légion d’Honneur.… Continue reading Yvonne fille de Bretonne

The Unicorn in the Forest

The Unicorn in the Forest

Märta Måås-Fjetterström was an internationally renowned textile artist of the early 1900s. Märta Måås-Fjetterström was born in Kimstad in Östergötland in 1873. Her family later moved to Vadstena where her father Rudolf Fjetterström was a rural dean. Her mother Livia tended to the family farm and gave birth to eight children. During the period of… Continue reading The Unicorn in the Forest

At the piano

At the piano

Mina Carlson-Bredberg was an artist who was active during the decades around 1900. Mina Carlson-Bredberg was born in Gothenburg in 1857. Her family was otherwise well rooted in wealthy circles in Stockholm. Her father Henrik Vilhelm Bredberg was a judge in the Court of Appeal and her mother Josefina Lovisa, née Smerling, was the daughter… Continue reading At the piano

The Red Cross

Red Cross 1917

Jenny Nyström was an artist and an illustrator. She was the first woman in Sweden to be awarded a royal medal for her historically-themed painting. Her legacy was established by the popularity of her depictions of “tomte” (a mythological creature often associated with Christmas). Jenny Nyström was born in Kalmar. She was the daughter of… Continue reading The Red Cross

Swedish modernist avant-garde movement

Swedish modernist avant-garde – girl's head

Sigrid Hjertén was an artist who was one of the leading figures of the Swedish modernist avant-garde movement. She was particularly acclaimed for her expressive use of colour. Sigrid Hjertén was born in 1885 and grew up in Sundsvall. Her mother, Maria Rahm, belonged to a well-to-do family from the town. Her maternal uncle Johan… Continue reading Swedish modernist avant-garde movement

Tripod with Lid

Tripod with lid

Alice Nordin was the leading female sculptor at the turn of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to hold an exhibition dedicated to sculpture in 1911. Alice Nordin grew up in a home where drawing was a daily pastime. At age 14 she started at the technical school for female apprentices in Stockholm.… Continue reading Tripod with Lid

The Graveyard in the Mountains

The Graveyard in the Mountains

Anna Boberg was a painter and a versatile artist who also created ceramic-, glass- and textile-art. A defining moment in her life was coming face to face with the arctic landscape of Lofoten when she was in her 30s. Anna Boberg was brought up in Stockholm in an upper middle-class family. Her father, architect and… Continue reading The Graveyard in the Mountains

A Rain Shower

A Rain Shower 1910–1911

Ellen Trotzig is often called ‘Österlens första målarinna’ (the first female painter of Österlen). She was one of the earliest artists who took her inspiration from the nature of Österlen, in Scania, and its much noted light. Ellen Trotzig was born in Malmö in 1878. Her family left Malmö when she was five years old… Continue reading A Rain Shower

The Earth

The Earth

Anna Petrus-Lyttkens was a sculptor, a graphic artist, a dancer, and an craftsman. Anna Petrus-Lyttkens was born in Uppsala in 1886. She grew up in that university town. Her parents were Oskar Viktor Petersson, a professor of paediatrics, and Countess Maria Stackelberg. Anna Petrus-Lyttkens was financially independent due to her inheritance, enabling her to become… Continue reading The Earth

Swedish Modern

Swedish Arts and Crafts at the World Exhibition in New York 1939

Karin Ageman was a designer, craftswoman and advertising and book illustrator. She designed and made the layouts for the catalogue Swedish Arts and Crafts. Swedish Modern for the World Exhibition in New York in 1939. Karin Ageman was born Karin Charlotta Pettersson in 1899 in Stockholm. Her parents were Anders Gustaf Pettersson, a naval captain,… Continue reading Swedish Modern

The Last Ray of Sunshine

The Last Ray of Sunshine

Julia Beck was mainly a painter of French landscapes, but also painted portraits and became known as a talented calligrapher. Her plein air paintings were created outdoors in nature, unlike earlier landscape paintings, where initial sketches were later reworked in the studio. Julia Beck was born in Stockholm, where her father, Franz Beck, an immigrant from the… Continue reading The Last Ray of Sunshine

Sunday Evening in a Farmhouse in Dalecarlia

Sunday Evening in a Farmhouse in Dalecarlia

Amalia Lindegren was born an illegitimate child in May 1814. Her father was Benjamin Sandels, a mines councillor, and her mother was Anna Catharina Ekström, who later married and took the surname Lindgren. Amalia Lindegren’s own surname is seemingly a minor variation on her mother’s married name. Her mother died when Amalia Lindegren was just… Continue reading Sunday Evening in a Farmhouse in Dalecarlia