Olof Walfrid Nilsson - Lyngenfjord Mountain Landscape, Norway

Olof Walfrid Nilsson (1868–1956) Sweden

Lyngenfjord Mountain Landscape, Norway

oil on board
signed and dated (1930)
painted 1930-1931
unframed 63 × 47 cm (24.8 × 18.5 inches)
framed 73.5 × 57.5 cm (28.9 × 22.6 inches)

on the reverse of the board bears the inscription “Parti från Lyngenfjord Vassdal. Norge. Sommaren 1931.” (translated: “View from Lyngenfjord Vassdal, Norway, Summer 1931”). 

Essay:
The subject is a tranquil mountainous landscape from the Lyngenfjord region, framed by the dramatic peaks of the Lyngen Alps in the distance. In the center rises a distinctive double-peaked mountain, likely Øtertinden (Otertind, 1,354 m), an iconic summit of the Lyngen Alps often dubbed the “Matterhorn of Norway.” Nilsson renders the craggy form of the peak and its lingering snowfields with confident, refined brushwork, conveying both the mass of the mountain and the clarity of the northern air. A still expanse of water in the foreground mirrors the alpine scenery, doubling the effect of the towering ridges and summer sky. The Lyngen peninsula, renowned for its high peaks, blue glaciers, and dramatic Arctic scenery, provides a striking backdrop to the scene. Above the mountains, the sky is suffused with the gentle light of a Scandinavian summer dawn, a pale golden glow with hints of rose that softens the rugged terrain. This interplay of light and reflection imbues the landscape with a serene, almost enchanted atmosphere.

The artistic execution showcases Nilsson’s keen eye for nature’s grandeur coupled with a subtle, poetic mood. He balances finely observed detail with a luminous color palette to evoke the hushed stillness of an early summer morning in the far north. Cool bluish tones define the shadowed slopes and glassy water, set against the warm pastel hues along the horizon. The brushwork is delicate yet assured, especially in describing the jagged mountain silhouettes and the transparent reflection on the water’s surface. The overall impression is atmospheric and somewhat mystical, in line with Nilsson’s signature approach to Lapland and Arctic landscapes. There is a dreamlike quality to the scene, the mountains and sky seeming almost ethereal in the dawn light, but also a clarity that speaks to the real topography of Lyngen’s fjordlands. This fusion of realism and romanticism is a hallmark of Nilsson’s landscape painting.

Beyond the immediate subject, the piece holds art-historical interest through the artist’s background. Olof W. Nilsson was a Swedish painter and decorative artist celebrated for his portrayals of Nordic wilderness. Born in Värmland, he was active in Karlstad and the Gothenburg region, and often travelled north to capture the dramatic scenery of Lapland and beyond. Early in his career he participated in the artistic decoration of prominent public buildings in Gothenburg and created murals in Karlstad, but he is today best remembered as a dedicated painter of Scandinavian nature. In particular, Nilsson earned renown as a fjällmålare, or mountain painter, known for atmospheric views of high peaks and icy northern landscapes. He was admired for infusing his scenes with a peaceful, almost otherworldly mood while still faithfully depicting the terrain. Nilsson’s works are represented in the Norrköping Art Museum in Sweden, a testament to his standing in Swedish art history.