Bertel Bertel-Nordström - Moonlit Coast, 1936

Bertel Bertel-Nordström (1884–1967, Finland/Sweden)

Moonlit Coast, 1936

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower right
unframed 74 × 92 cm (29.1 × 36.2 in)
framed 96 × 113 cm (37.8 × 44.5 in)

This striking coastal landscape by Bertel Bertel-Nordström captures the solemn beauty of a moonlit night along the Nordic shoreline. The composition is dominated by a dramatic interplay between land, sea, and sky. In the foreground, rugged rock formations are rendered with textured, expressive brushstrokes in deep earth tones, creating a stark contrast against the smooth, glowing surface of the ocean beyond. The moon hovers above the horizon, casting a silver beam across the dark water, its reflection shimmering in a vertical line of light that draws the viewer's eye toward the distant sea.

The atmosphere is both tranquil and powerful, a study in contrasts between darkness and illumination, stillness and depth. The artist’s use of cool blues and greens across the middle and background heightens the sense of nocturnal quiet, while subtle accents of warm color in the rock face suggest residual warmth from the setting sun or internal geological life. The overall effect is meditative, emphasizing the vastness and solitude of the natural world at night.

Bertel-Nordström, active in both Finland and Sweden, was known for his expressive landscapes that often bridged Romantic and Modernist sensibilities. This 1934 work exemplifies his mature style, robust in form yet lyrical in mood which demonstrating his ability to balance formal composition with emotional resonance. The painting evokes a timeless connection between the viewer and the Nordic coast, filtered through moonlight and silence.

Condition
The painting is in fine condition with vibrant, well-preserved colors and a surface showing natural age and patina. The original frame has older repairs and areas of retouched gilding consistent with age and use.