Erik Tryggelin - Sunset over Lake Vättern, Vadstena
Regular price 33,077.00 krErik Tryggelin (1878–1962) Sweden
Sunset over Lake Vättern, Vadstena, 4–5 October 1927
signed and dated lower right E. Tryggelin 5/10 1927
inscribed Vadstena lower left 4/10
oil on canvas laid on masonite
unframed 19.5 × 25.5 cm (7.7 × 10 in)
framed 28 × 35 cm (11 × 13.8 in)
presented in a new black frame
Provenance:
Swedish private collection
Essay:
This painting from early October 1927 captures the shifting colours of sunset over Lake Vättern as seen from the historic town of Vadstena. The composition is remarkably direct and focused, reducing the landscape to its most essential elements: the glowing sky, the distant horizon, and the restless surface of the lake. Through this simplicity Erik Tryggelin transforms the scene into a concentrated study of colour and light.
The sky occupies the greater part of the composition and is filled with bands of warm, luminous colour. Soft tones of coral, rose, and pale orange spread across the clouds, fading gradually into cooler blues and violets. These broad, sweeping brushstrokes suggest the movement of evening clouds and the fleeting nature of the sunset. The colour transitions are subtle but vibrant, creating a glowing atmosphere that dominates the entire scene.
Below the horizon the waters of Lake Vättern are rendered with energetic strokes of blue, green, and violet. The waves break gently along the foreground, their movement suggested by quick touches of white paint that indicate foam and reflected light. In contrast to the calm radiance of the sky, the lake appears more dynamic, animated by wind and shifting currents. This interplay between the tranquil sky and the lively water gives the painting its quiet tension.
Erik Tryggelin frequently worked in small formats that allowed him to paint rapidly and directly from observation. His training at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and later studies in Paris introduced him to impressionist methods, and throughout his career he maintained a strong interest in capturing transient atmospheric effects. Rather than describing the landscape in detail, he focused on the sensation of a particular moment, recording how light and colour transform a familiar view.
Vadstena and the surrounding shores of Lake Vättern provided Tryggelin with an ideal setting for such studies. The broad expanse of the lake and the open horizon create dramatic skies, particularly during sunrise and sunset. In works such as this one the landscape becomes a stage for changing light, where sky and water interact in subtle colour harmonies.
Condition report:
The painting is in very fine condition with clear and well preserved colours. The surface has recently been cleaned. Small pinholes are visible in the corners, original to the artist’s practice of attaching his works with drawing pins when exhibiting. The painting is presented in a new black frame.
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