Adolf Säfve (1860-1922) - Moonlight over the Lake

Oil on canvas
signed a.Säfve
unframed 71 x 51 cm
framed 82.5 x 63 cm

Essay:

Presenting a rare gem from the early 20th century, we invite you to immerse yourself in the nocturnal serenity of Adolf Säfve's "Moonlight over the Lake". Crafted circa 1915, this oil painting captures a mesmerizing moonlit night over a tranquil Swedish lake, where the silhouettes of trees stand boldly in the foreground, almost entirely engulfed in shadow. The calm lake, a mirror to the gleaming moonlight, adds a mystical quality to the scene, inviting the viewer into a moment of profound stillness and reflection.

Adorned in its likely original gold frame, this piece is not only a visual treasure but also a slice of history, offering a connection to the life and times of Adolf Säfve, originally Andreasson. Born on November 16, 1860, in Säve parish, Bohuslän, Säfve was the eldest son of a master shoemaker, forging his path in art despite his humble beginnings. His younger siblings, Svante and Selma, and his life with his wife Alma Josefina Pettersson, are threads woven into the rich tapestry of his life.

Säfve's artistic journey began under the guidance of Ludvig Messmann at the tender age of twelve and was later briefly shaped by the hands of Bruno Liljefors and Reinhold Callmander. His talent blossomed, leading to his participation in an exhibition at Valandhuset in the 1880s, where his winter study caught the eye of the Gothenburg Art Association. Beyond the canvas, Säfve lent his brush to the grandeur of the stage as a decoration painter at the Stora Teatern in Gothenburg, and his significant decorative painting marking the tenth anniversary of King Oscar II's visit to Marstrand stands testament to his versatility.

His legacy, a collection of topographical depictions from Gothenburg and its environs, as well as sketches from across Sweden, remains celebrated, with his works gracing the walls of the Gothenburg City Museum. This painting, with its enigmatic play of light and shadow over a Swedish lake, offers a piece of that legacy—a testament to Säfve's enduring vision and artistic prowess.