Swedish art

Painting and sculpture of Sweden. Although the main movements in European art have successively taken hold in Sweden, artists have repeatedly returned to a national tradition.

500 BC-11th century AD Bronze and gold jewellery were produced, and memorial stones carved with runes and ornaments.

12th-16th centuries Woven tapestries show the geometrically stylized animals that were also a feature of jewellery and carvings. Churches were decorated with lively, richly ornamented frescoes. Wooden sculptures were initially stiff and solemn, later more realistic and expressive.

17th century Sculptors and portrait painters who had studied Italian baroque were patronized by Sweden's rulers.

18th century Swedish rococo emerged, more restrained than the French models on which it was based; chinoiserie was popular because of Swedish trade with the Far East. Rococo was supplanted towards the end of the century by a light neoclassical style known as Gustavian.

19th century Academic history painting was superseded by the work of artists influenced by the French Impressionists and by the nationalist spirit current in many countries. The watercolour interiors by Carl Larsson of his home were very popular and among the best work of the period.

Early 20th century The Romantic nationalist Jugend style can be seen in the monumental sculptures of Carl Milles (1875-1955) throughout Sweden and in the USA. Albert Engström (1869-1940) was a prolific illustrator and cartoonist. Nils von Dardel (1888-1943) was an early surrealist painter.

Late 20th century Figurative art predominates, ranging from the dreamlike, symbolic paintings of Lena Cronqvist and others to the realistic still-life graphics of Philip von Schantz (1928- ).