Carl Larsson

Karl Johan Warburg, Gothenburg (commissioned from the artist)
Hanna Warburg, Gothenburg, a gift from the above (the great, great grandmother of the present owners); thence by descent

This condition report has been provided by Jane McAusland FIIC, Conservator and Restorer of Art on Paper, Nether Hall Barn, Old Newton, Nr Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14. Support Larsson has used a sheet of thick wove paper. The sheet shows slight time staining on the recto, and has darkened more considerably on the verso. There are corner losses on the upper and lower right, and artist pinholes show in the sheet. There is a little surface dirt on the left-hand side in the sky otherwise the sheet is in a good condition. Medium The colours are gentle and agreeable though there may be a little fading in the fugitive tones. The illustration is good. Note: This work was viewed behind glass and outside studio conditions. JANE McAUSLAND
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Karl Johan Warburg (1852-1918) commissioned the present work from Larsson to celebrate his mother's 70th birthday on 10 August 1887. Warburg was almost certainly introduced to Larsson by collector and patron Pontus Fürstenburg. Kattegatt, the setting for the present work, is the sea area bounded by Jutland in the west, and the Swedish coast in the east.

After studying at Uppsala, Karl Johan Warburg  was Librarian at Gothenburg University. Appointed Professor of Art History in 1890, he moved to Stockholm in 1900 where he became librarian at the newly established Nobel Library (until 1909) and Lecturer in German and Scandinavian Literature at the Nobel Institute (1901-1912).  

Pontus Fürstenberg (1827-1902) was a prominent Swedish art collector and patron. Together with his wife Göthilda (née Magnus), one of the wealthiest heiresses in Gothenburg, he occupied a beautiful house in the city, which became known as the Fürstenberg Palace and housed their ever growing collection of art.

Fürstenberg not only supported up and coming artists through commissions, but provided them with food and shelter, artists' materials, and even funded their study trips abroad. In return young artists including Ernst Josephson (lot 213), Anders Zorn (lot 245) and Carl Larsson would give him works of art.

In 1902, Fürstenberg and his wife donated their entire collection to the city of Gothenburg, when it was incorporated into the collections of the Gothenburg Museum of Art.