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Aurora Over a Northern Lake, Expressionist Oil on Canvas, Framed, 1916

1916

$2,080
$2,60020% Off
£1,576.19
£1,975.2120% Off
€1,837.13VAT Included
€2,303.9820% Off
CA$2,973.22
CA$3,724.4020% Off
A$3,010.46
A$3,778.2920% Off
CHF 1,712.64
CHF 2,149.0620% Off
MX$36,586.49
MX$45,902.2820% Off
NOK 20,244.26
NOK 25,274.5120% Off
SEK 20,137.91
SEK 25,362.1220% Off
DKK 13,732.97
DKK 17,226.4820% Off

About the Item

Aurora over a Northern Lake, signed and dated “G Claeson 1916”, oil on canvas. This evocative landscape, executed in an expressionist manner, and on the same time almost modern, captures the fleeting and otherworldly phenomenon of the aurora borealis as it shimmers across the surface of a northern lake. Broad, fluid brushstrokes in layered tones of green, turquoise, and deep blue create a sense of movement, as if the light itself is alive and drifting across both sky and water. The composition is horizontal and expansive, emphasizing the stillness of the lake while simultaneously conveying the restless energy of the reflected light. At the left edge of the composition, a small promontory gently enters the scene, marked by sparse, bush-like vegetation along the shoreline. In the distance, a dark, continuous band of forest stretches across the horizon, anchoring the composition and reinforcing the contrast between the solid, nocturnal landscape and the luminous, shifting sky above. The aurora itself appears not as a sharply defined phenomenon but as a diffused, swirling presence, more atmospheric than descriptive, consistent with expressionist tendencies to privilege emotion and perception over naturalistic detail. On the reverse of the stretcher, an inscription notes that the motif is derived from Norrland, further situating the work within the northern Scandinavian landscape. The painting’s palette and handling suggest an artist concerned less with topographical accuracy than with conveying the sensory and emotional experience of witnessing the northern lights. Little documented information appears to be available regarding the artist G. Claeson, who seems to have been active in the early 20th century. Based on the style and date, the work aligns with broader Nordic expressionist currents of the period, where artists explored atmosphere, light, and mood through increasingly free brushwork and simplified forms. The aurora borealis, or northern lights, is a natural light display visible in high-latitude regions, caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field. In Sweden, it is most commonly seen in Norrland, the vast northern part of the country. Norrland encompasses roughly the northern two-thirds of Sweden, characterized by forests, mountains, and sparsely populated wilderness, making it an ideal setting for observing this luminous and mysterious spectacle. Size without the frame is 60 x 135cm or 23,6x53,1 in. There are some reflections showing on the photo, mainly to the upper left.
  • Creation Year:
    1916
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 56.3 in (143 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
  • Medium:
    Canvas,Oil
  • Movement & Style:
    Expressionist
  • Period:
    1910-1919
  • Condition:
    It is in good condition. A light surface cleaning is recommended. We can help with this. The gilt bronzed wooden frame is contemporary.
  • Gallery Location:
    Stockholm, SE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2608217834562

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