Adolf Julius Berg - Stilla sommarkväll (Still Summer Evening) 1851

Adolf Julius Berg (1820-1876) Sweden

Stilla sommarkväll (Still Summer Evening) 1851

oil on canvas
signed and dated A. Julius Berg 1851
unframed 70.5 × 97 cm (27.8 × 38.2 inches)
framed 85 × 111 cm (33.5 × 43.7 inches)

Stilla sommarkväll (1851) by Adolf Julius Berg captures a tranquil summer evening by the water, suffused with the golden glow of sunset. In the foreground, two small boats drift on glassy, reflective waters – in one, a man stands with a fishing rod in hand, patiently angling as the day fades. A gentle breeze appears to carry a few diminutive sailboats across the distant bay, their sails illuminated by the last warm light. On the shoreline stands an old windmill, its silhouette etched against the radiant twilight sky. The overall composition exudes calm and harmony, evoking the profound stillness of a Nordic summer nightfall. 

The alla prima handling of light and color – from the lambent rose-tinted clouds to the lustrous reflections in the water – showcases Berg’s skill in rendering atmosphere and nuanced illumination. In its poetic serenity, Still Summer Evening stands as a superb example of Berg’s romantic landscape artistry, inviting the viewer into a moment of idyllic peace.

In both subject and style, this painting is emblematic of Adolf J. Berg’s oeuvre. The coastal setting with a windmill and tranquil waters suggests a locale in southern Sweden – likely inspired by the archipelagic shores of Berg’s native Blekinge or a similar Swedish seaside landscape. Berg often painted scenes from Blekinge and other picturesque Swedish locales, and he favored twilight or moonlit atmospheres that imbue the scenery with a mellow, contemplative light. The warm, low-angled sunlight in Stilla sommarkväll, reflecting off calm water and silhouetting rustic structures, is typical of his fascination with dawn and dusk effects. In the harmonious balance of land, water, and sky, one can sense the influence of Berg’s early mentor, the venerable Romantic landscapist Carl Johan Fahlcrantz, whose tradition of lyrical, sunset-lit vistas is carried on here. Every element – from the fishermen quietly tending their evening catch to the distant sails gliding home – contributes to the painting’s atmosphere of gentle reverie, evoking the timeless charm of a Swedish summer night.

Adolf Julius Berg (1820–1876) was a Swedish landscape painter celebrated for his atmospheric portrayals of the Nordic countryside. Born in the coastal city of Karlskrona, Berg developed an early affinity for marine and riverside scenes. His artistic approach was shaped initially by the poetic realism of Carl Johan Fahlcrantz, and later by the dramatic naturalism of Marcus Larson, another prominent Swedish painter. Berg’s own style melded these influences into compositions that balance tranquility with subtle drama. He painted primarily lush landscapes and city views – ranging from the Blekinge archipelago of his youth to sweeping prospects of towns like Kalmar, Karlskrona, and Eskilstuna – often enveloped in the evocative light of sunrise, sunset, or moonrise. Critics and patrons of the time admired his ability to capture Sweden’s natural beauty with both fidelity and feeling. Throughout the 1840s–1860s Berg was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, where his works regularly featured in the Academy’s salons and annual exhibitions. His contributions to Swedish art did not go unrecognized; today Berg is represented in the collections of major institutions such as Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and the Gothenburg Art Museum, among others.

Provenance: Beijers Auktioner in Stockholm on April 24, 1991 (lot 10/A), and the painting realized approximately €3,300 (including buyer’s premium) at that sale. 

Condition Report:
The painting has recently undergone a comprehensive restoration by a professional conservator in Stockholm. It has been reinforced with a new lining, and minor damages to the canvas have been carefully retouched. The old varnish has been removed and replaced with a fresh, clear varnish. Following this restoration, the painting is once again in very fine condition, with bright and vivid colors.