Studio: international art (31.1904)

Modern Painting in Sweden

has, in truth, more than once during these twenty that I refuse to admit the merits of other

years, been more or less dangerously infected by parties and art corporations existing in Sweden,

home or Continental epidemics arising out of the There are doubtless many clever artists among

abnormal growths that now and then occur in the the Royal Academicians, as well as in the much

fair garden of art and beauty. But they have crowded but less remarkable " Society of Swedish

happily been of short duration. It has, by the Artists," from which sole source the Academy

way, always appeared to me that such diseases are at present is by necessity compelled to draw

obliterated by the same means as those which its supply of fellows and associates. But these

have proved fatal to the rabies bacillus—they bodies achieve nothing at all as corporations,

are killed by their own poison. This has, They have no mutual will, and, as far as I can see,

at any rate, always been the case in Sweden, and no object in common. They have, however, as I

particularly in the society in question. These have already admitted, some excellent artists among

epidemics and perhaps some other circumstances them, and by the efforts of individual members

have, however, had one drawback—they have time they must be said to add in some degree to the

after time separated certain of the members from means of artistic progress.

the society, and of these some have once more put The best known among the Academicians are

themselves under the protection of the ancient the figure painters : Count Georg von Rosen, Julius

Institution, while others have preferred to be Kronberg, Baron Cederstrom, Emil Osterman,

outsiders altogether. Axel Jungstedt, Victor Andren, and Johan Tiren;

At present the " League " is fresh and healthy, and of landscapists : Gottfrid Kallstenius, Alfred

and if it grows in strength at the wonderful rate it Bergstrom, Edward Rosenberg, Anselm Schultz-

has done hitherto, the Academy will surely before berg, Olof Arborelius, and the still working veterans

long have to acquiesce in the improvements de- A. Wahlberg and Gustaf Rydberg.
manded. It will, at all events, be none too soon. In the first set von Rosen is, perhaps, the

It must not, from what I have said, be inferred most prominent man. He has in his day turned

Chr. Erikson Eugen Janson Nils Kreuger Karl Nordstrom Robert Thegerstriim Richard Bergh

( Chairman)

"THE COMMITTEE OF THE LEAGUE OF ARTISTS" BY RICHARD BERGH