Riddarfjärden, Stockholm (1898)

Titled "Riddarfjärden, Stockholm" and painted in 1898 by Swedish artist Eugène Jansson, this enchanting nocturne epitomizes Jansson’s preoccupation with the mystical and moody scenes of Stockholm at night. The painting captures the wide expanse of the Riddarfjärden, the easternmost bay of Lake Mälaren in central Stockholm. It is renowned for Jansson's unique style that features deep hues and dramatic perspective.In this work, Jansson employs an intense palette of blues and blacks, interspersed with striking whites and subtle hints of pink at the horizon, where the night sky meets the early stirrings of dawn. This horizon line is illuminated by the scattered lights of the city, reflecting dimly across the calm, dark waters, suggesting the quiet activity of urban life continuing through the night. Foreground water swirls mystically, painted with lighter, almost glowing strokes, adding a sense of movement to the otherwise serene and static backdrop.Jansson’s technique of combining precision in detail with atmospheric breadth results in a composition that is both detailed in its depiction of place and evocative in its overall mood. The dark sky, textured with expressive brush strokes, overwhelms the cityscape, setting a tone that is both somber and captivating. "Riddarfjärden, Stockholm" invites viewers to experience the tranquil yet potent beauty of night, reflecting both the physical reality and the inner emotions stirred by the nocturnal urban landscape.