The Revolutionary Swedish Aesthetic of Carl and Karin Larsson

   Learning about Carl and Karin Larsson and visiting their former home in Sundborn (now a museum, 3 hours nw of Stockholm), was a highlight of our trip. The rural home this artist couple established beginning in 1888 and continuing for the next 30 years  became an integral part of Swedish national culture and even influenced the development of the folkhem concept - society akin to a family, looking after one another and emphasizing equality and consensus. This idea became a foundation for social democratic ideals there.

One of Carl's paintings of the house itself. 


   Their vision of a home was unique for bourgeois life at that time, and truly reflected the old Swedish proverb that the home is the mirror of the soul. Family, functionality and shared space were central. It was “child friendly, positive, inexpensive. There was no best room. All the doors were open....There was a summer atmosphere indoors, even when the snow was whirling outside” (Snodin, 1998).  Bold, cheerful, light color palettes dominated the nature-infused design.


A painting by Carl of their dining room with Karin and two of the children. 


One of many paintings of the children that are in the house. 


   The home – as it still appears today - was filled with Carl’s sometimes whimsical painting that featured idyllic visions of their eight children and Karin, and also Karin’s incredible textile artistry (curtains, tablecloths, cushions) and design genius. (Carl Larsson is considered Sweden’s premiere painter.) It also incorporated significant elements of the region’s folk art traditions further blending social class into one whole. Karin’s prominent role (herself an accomplished artist) and their unique way of cooperating as a couple foretold Swedish social democracy’s focus on gender equality.


An example of Karin's embroidery.  Karin and Carl also designed much of the furniture, like this sofa, and had a local carpenter make the pieces. 


Chair with Karin's embroidery

Lilla Hyttnäs, as the home is called, has remained in the Larsson family for generations and family members can still return there to stay for holidays. 

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