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Regular price 36 477 kr Save -36 477 krAnton Genberg (1862 - 1939) Sweden
Coastal Scene from the West Coast (1923)
oil on canvas
signed and dated
Unframed: 50.5 x 73.5 cm (19⅞ x 28⅞ in)
Framed: 66 x 89 cm (26 x 35 in)
Essay:
Anton Genberg’s coastal painting captures a tranquil harbor scene along Sweden’s west coast. In this 1923 oil painting, a cluster of weathered boathouses stands by the water’s edge, their rustic red facades contrasting with the cool blues of sea and sky. Granite rocks frame the foreground, rendered with confident, textured strokes that convey the solidity of the Bohuslän coast. Genberg’s brushwork is bold and spontaneous – thick impasto layers of paint catch the light on waves and clouds, and in places he has scratched into the wet paint with the brush handle to accentuate rippling water or sunlit highlights. This vigorous technique infuses the scene with drama and life, suggesting the glint of sunlight on waves and a gentle breeze animating the Nordic sky. The composition balances land and sea: calm water occupies the middle ground, reflecting the sky in softer tones, while the shoreline with its boathouses anchors the scene at one side, drawing the eye. A sailboat with a pale sail may be glimpsed in the distance, adding a sense of scale and human presence. Genberg’s nuanced handling of light and color conveys the unique atmosphere of a Scandinavian coastal day – the clarity of northern light warms the red buildings and golden rocks, while casting blue-tinted shadows that evoke a crisp, bright air. Overall, the painting’s mood is serene yet vivid, capturing both the peaceful beauty and the subtle vitality of Sweden’s western archipelago.
Identifying the Setting
The exact locale is not confirmed, the details strongly suggest a small fishing village in Bohuslän, a province famous for its rocky archipelago and red wooden boathouses. Genberg was particularly drawn to the scenic landscapes of Sweden’s west coast – especially Bohuslän – often painting its dramatic cliffs and harbors under the distinctive Nordic light. In the mid-1920s he created coastal scenes in villages like Fiskebäckskil and Fjällbacka, signing those works with their location names. The present view, with its traditional boathouses and granite shore, is reminiscent of those locales. It likely represents a generic Bohuslän harbor or an amalgam of impressions rather than a specific famous landmark. However, the naturalistic accuracy of the scenery – from the shape of the smooth cliffs to the style of the cottages – gives it an authentic sense of place. Viewers familiar with west coast Sweden might recognize common elements of coastal villages: the boathouses perched on rock ledges, small boats moored in sheltered water, and distant islands on the horizon.
Genberg’s painterly technique in this work is notable for its confident, impressionistic touch. The oils are applied in energetic strokes, at times so thick that they stand in relief, catching real light on the painting’s surface. In several areas, Genberg incised lines through the paint (a technique known as sgraffito) using the end of his brush, for example to delineate fine highlights on water or texture on wooden boards. This combination of broad, layered strokes and delicate incised lines creates a lively surface texture that enlivens the otherwise tranquil scene. Despite the spontaneity of execution, the artist maintains careful control of composition and tone. The horizon is placed relatively high, emphasizing the expanse of sky and giving a sense of open air above the intimate coastal inlet. The color palette is harmonious and naturalistic – dominated by the earthy reds of structures, gray-pink rocks, and cool blues and greens of sea and sky – yet Genberg introduces subtle complementary contrasts (such as hints of orange sunlight in the clouds versus blue shadows on water) to enhance visual interest. The result is a rich, textural painting that is both realistic in detail and expressive in brushwork, inviting the viewer to almost feel the rugged wood and stone and the crisp seaside air.
Artist Background and Significance
Anton Genberg (1862–1939) was a Swedish painter renowned for his landscapes in a lyrical naturalist style. Educated in Stockholm’s art institutions, Genberg developed a distinctive style blending academic realism with a love of Swedish nature. He first gained fame as a painter of the northern mountains and snowy winter scenes – he was celebrated as an interpreter of the Norrland and Jämtland wilderness. Many of his works depict sweeping mountain vistas, serene lakes, and forested valleys, often bathed in atmospheric light and occasionally animated with small figures,. reflecting a Romantic Nationalism in his approach to the Swedish landscape. Yet, as this coastal scene demonstrates, Genberg’s subject matter was not limited to the highlands. He also turned his eye to other quintessential Swedish landscapes, including seaside and archipelago views. His portrayal of the Bohuslän coast in the 1920s reveals the same keen observation and atmospheric sensitivity found in his mountain paintings, capturing the mood and character of the locale with equal skill. Genberg was an established figure in his time: he exhibited internationally (in cities such as Berlin and Buenos Aires) and was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in 1922. Throughout his career, he contributed to the visual identity of Swedish art by celebrating the nation’s natural scenery. Today, Anton Genberg’s works are held in major Swedish museums, including Stockholm’s Nationalmuseum and the Moderna Museet.
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