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About

Every Moment is a Memory

Harald Lindberg

     Harald Lindberg was a visual artist and poet born in 1901 in Rumshamn on Björkö, Stockholm's Northern archipelago. From an early age he drew what he saw around him, such as life in the village and, above all, the ships that passed in the fairway outside the home. He made a couple of trips as a young man in the merchant navy to South America and South Africa. He always had a sketchbook in his pocket and documented everything he saw.

     In 1922 Lindberg received his first practical training in decorative wall painting with conservator Alfred Nilson during the restoration work at Läckö castle and in Ekshärad church in Värmland. From 1924−1926 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm under the teachers Carl Wilhelmsson and Albert Engström. In 1932 the artist traveled to Paris where he studied at Académie Scandinave under artist Maison Watteau.

     The artist was heavily influenced by the "November Group" of artists from FInland including Tyko Sallinen and Macus Collin. The greatest influence came from Alvar Cawén, who created works of ascetic interiors, tender child studies, and portrayals of aged and working people carried by social compassion.

     For most of his life the artist lived in Stockholm on Urvädersgränd with a view of Slussen. These views offered him constant motives and are an important part of his production. Sea and boats were naturally one of his great interest and source of inspiration.

     Between 19591970, he made a large number of lithographs, some collected in portfolios of five magazines with names such as "Kustband, Hav och kust, Svensk sjöfart, Nära havet" (Coastline, Sea and coast, Swedish shipping, Near the sea). His public works included mural paintings "Juniskäret" in Brantingskolan in Uppsala, the Port Authority in Stockholm, the Hospital in Norrtälje, the churches in Arholma and Björkö-Arholma, and Botvids Kapell (tapestry), at Naval officer school in Gothenburg, and at Spånga high school.

     Lindberg is considered a part of the group of archipelago painters that included Roland Svensson, Axel Sjöberg and Rikard Lindström. As a former sailor,  Lindberg never let go of the sea in relation to his paintings. For his last exhibition of wood paintings, he wrote a few indicative lines, "Washed by the sea, found on the beach, types of wood from near and far. The brush is dipped in the waiting paint. I help nature as it helps me."

    Several of his works are in Gripsholm's Portrait Collection. He had a memorial exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm in 1978.

     The artist is represented in these public institutions:

  • Nationalmuseum in Stockholm

  • Moderna Museet Stockholm

  • Stockholm City Museum

  • Prins Eugéns Waldemarsudde

  • Gustaf Vl Adolf's collection

  • Östersund Museum

  • Västerås Museum

  • Roslagsmuséet

  • The Maritime Museum in Älmsta municipalities and county councils

harald lindberg self.jpg
Self-ortrait of the artist Harald Lindberg, c.1930
harald lindberg.jpg
Photo of the artist Harald Lindberg, c.1950

Title:

"Winter Cityscape", c.1940

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Artist:

Harald Lindberg (1901−1976)

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Type:

Oil on canvas

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Size:

47 x 60 cm

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Signed:

Lower left

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RHA I.D.#:

RHA-08/2009-028

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Status:

Available for lending to qualified institutions

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Provenance:

Uppsala Auktionskammare,

August 2009 Auction
Lot 819

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Nordic Art

Danish (21)
Swedish (29)
Finnish (14)
Norwegian (14)
Icelandic (5)

Mezzotint Art

Other Art

Songs (Music)

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