Carl Johansson (1863-1944) - Summer Landscape with Road, 1889

Carl Johansson (1863-1944) Sweden

Summer Landscape with Road, 1889

oil on canvas
signed and dated Carl Johansson . 89 .
unframed 27 x 39 cm
framed 41,5 x 53 cm

Provenance:
The previous owner bought it in 1988 at Åmells Stockholm for 106.000 SEK.

Literature:
Åmells exhibition catalogue, 1988, nr 5, "Sommarlandskap med väg"

Essay:
Carl Johansson's "Summer Landscape with Road" is an exquisite landscape that encapsulates the serene beauty of the Swedish countryside. Painted in 1889, the same year Johansson showcased his work at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, one can't help but wonder if this very painting was among those displayed at the fair.


Exposition Universelle de 1889

"Summer Landscape with Road" offers a glimpse into the idyllic Swedish countryside through its masterful depiction. The scene is bathed in the distinctive light of the sun positioned at 30 degrees north-northwest, a unique aspect of Johansson's artworks. The viewer's eye is drawn along a winding dirt road that meanders through a tranquil pastoral landscape. Birch trees, with their white bark and tender green leaves, stand tall and sway gently, marking the passage toward a distant homestead nestled beside a calm lake. The rustic wooden fences and the clear sky, dotted with soft, billowing clouds, evoke a sense of peaceful solitude.

Johansson's meticulous attention to detail and colour is evident in every brushstroke, from the lush greenery to the soft, earthy path leading to the horizon. The artist's signature use of light not only highlights the natural beauty of the North but also enhances the sense of depth and realism in the painting.

Johansson's early works, such as this one, are exceedingly rare, making "Summer Landscape with Road" not only a visual delight but also a collector's gem. The painting's magnificent gold frame enhances the bright, vivid colours of the small-format artwork, creating an impactful presence.

Carl Johansson's blue impressionistic depictions of Northern Sweden earned him the nickname "Ultramarine Johansson", and his paintings are celebrated in prestigious collections, including the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Kalmar Art Museum, and the municipality of Hudiksvall.