Kvarnen Gallery

“The Unknown Carl Larsson”. Carl Larsson – probably Sweden’s best-known and best-loved artist, most often seen as the exuberant family father adorning thousands of biscuit tins. But that’s not the whole story.

There is much more to tell, the little-known life of Carl Larsson – a many-sided personality formed by the brutal poverty of his childhood, the loss of his family and his huge ambition to be recognized as an artist. He was a trend-setter of his time, embracing the new ideals and often finding himself in conflict with those who didn’t share his views or stood in his way. Talented but difficult. Ernst Billgren takes a close look at his artist colleague, knowing that even the most idyllic, summery subject is never easy to turn into art. Creating what isn’t there is a brutal process and every single step towards new knowledge, every act of creation is a severe challenge. If you view a work of art without seeing the whole person behind it, you’ll seldom understand it. This exhibition, The Unknown Carl Larsson, tells the full story of Carl Larsson and what was really needed to make one of Sweden’s greatest artists. The art gallery is not handicap-friendly. The venue has high narrow stairs up to the second and third floors.