Tiled Stoves
Tiled stoves are not only decorative, but from the middle of the
18th century and until the advent of central heating, they offered a more
economical way of heating a house than the open fireplace. The production of
tiled stoves in Sweden was resumed in 1980 at the Gustavsberg porcelain
factory.
Woodcarvings
Since a large part of Sweden is forested there is plenty of
material for woodcarvings. In the province of Dalarna this old tradition has
become a tourist industry, the most famous product of which is the gaudily
painted Dalecarlian horse.
Glass
The number of glassworks have declined over the years, but there
are still a number of them producing high-quality art glassware as well as
glass for everyday use. Kosta and Orrefors, for instance, are famous for their
crystal vases and glasses. They are both situated in what is called "The Glass
Kindom", an area in the south-east of the Småland province.
Painting
Most Swedish painters with an international reputation were active
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the most renowned artists from
this period are Anders Zorn, Carl Larsson and Bruno Liljefors. Many of their
works can be found in Stockholm art museums,
particularly the National
Museum which also has a good collection of works from the few Swedish
painters that made names for themselves abroad in the 18th century - notably
Gustav Lundberg, Alexander Roslin, Michael Dahl and Ulrik Wertmüller.
Artists and artisans
Carl Milles (1875-1955) is Sweden´s internationally
best known sculptor. His summer-house with a studio can be found in
Lidingö (outside Stockholm). It is now a museum called
Millesgården.
Anders Zorn (1860-1920), is one of Swedens foremost
artists. Zorn is famous for his sensual nude paintings and his lively
depictions of local peasant culture. He made several trips to the US, where he
painted three presidents and a number of well-known industrialists.
Carl Larsson's (1853-1919) paintings are often portraits of
his home and family, and his work is largely a celebration of idyllic family
life.With his beautiful water colours, he gained popularity both at home and
abroad. At the artist's home in Sundborn, you will recognise the wonderful
environment painted by Carl Larsson and created by his wife, Karin. Thanks to
this he has also had an influence on Swedish home furnishing during the 20th
century.
Bruno Mathsson's(1907-88) father was a cabinet-maker and it
was a matter of course that the young Bruno would follow in his father's
footsteps. His breakthrough came in 1936 with an exhibition at the Röhsska
Museum in Göteborg. Here are, among other things, his famous chairs. He
participated in the world exhibition in Paris in 1937 and in New York in 1939.
After this, he achieved an impressive international reputation as a
experimental designer. He also worked as a architect and he often drew houses
and buildings with many glass-windows, for example the exhibition hall of glass
in Kosta, in Småland (1954). He loved the sun and the light and a few
kilometres north of Halmstad in Halland, one of his own houses is to be seen.
Since 1978 the furniture factory DUX makes his classical furniture, for example
the "relaxing-chair" Pernilla and the "working-chair" Eva.
Books on Swedish art and design
There are several interesting books on Swedish art and design;
Decorative Arts of Sweden by Iona Plath, Twentieth Century Design by Jonathan
Woodham. Sweden - A Primary Source Cultural Guide by Jason Porterfield.
More books from Google Print are listed here.
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