Nils Kreuger (1858-1930) - Horses by the shore, 1909

Nils Kreuger (1858-1930) Sweden

Horses by the shore, 1909

pencil, paper
paper 8.7 x 14 cm
frame 18 x 23.5 cm

Provenance:
The artist;
Gifted to the artist's sister, Elisabeth Gustafva Kreuger;
Passed down to her daughter, Rut Elin Moren Lindell;
Inherited by her son, Bo Lindell (1831-2012);
Subsequently passed to his son, Ulf Lindell (born 1956).

Essay:
This drawing by Nils Kreuger, created in 1909, captures a serene moment in nature featuring a group of horses, some grazing while others are in motion, set against a backdrop of water and wind-swept trees. Kreuger, born on October 11, 1858, in Kalmar, Sweden, and passing on May 11, 1930, in Stockholm, was a prominent figure in Swedish painting. Coming from a family involved in the timber trade, Kreuger's artistic journey began at the Stockholm Academy of Arts in 1874, where he formed connections with Richard Bergh and Karl Nordström. His health issues led him to Paris, where he studied under Jean-Paul Laurens and was influenced by French plein-air painting, capturing urban and rural scenes with a delicate sense of light and atmosphere.

Kreuger's work evolved from his French influences towards a national romantic style, significantly contributing to what is known as the Varberg School, alongside Bergh and Nordström. This movement emphasized Swedish landscapes and pastoral scenes, often featuring livestock. Kreuger's technique, particularly influenced by Vincent van Gogh, involved distinct strokes and dots to articulate the terrain and deepen the emotional content of his works. Later, he shifted towards using colour spots and bold brushstrokes, creating a mosaic-like surface texture that unified the diverse forms within his compositions.

Despite his contributions to painting, Kreuger also produced caricatures and was involved in monumental paintings and illustrations. His art is celebrated in various prestigious collections, including the Nationalmuseum in Sweden and beyond.