On Sunday, March 26, hundreds of objects were presented for auction in Halmstad, Sweden. These included an oil painting by Gustaf Rydberg, a table clock from Jaeger LeCoultre, and a Fender Stratocaster. But the big star of Halland Auktionsverk's March auction was Albert Edelfelt's rediscovered painting Bland Rosor (Among Roses) from 1898, depicting the artist's sister Berta in the garden outside his summer villa in Haiko, Finland. Several international bidders participated and after an exciting bidding battle, the work was sold for more than double the estimate: 4,243,250 SEK ($405,765), including fees. This makes Edelfelt's oil painting the most expensive work of art sold in Sweden so far this year.
Want more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Related: Barnebys' Guide to Vintage Scandinavian Design
Albert Edelfelt (1854-1905) is one of Finland's foremost artists of all time and his work is represented today in museums across Europe, including the National Museum in Stockholm.
Edelfelt was recognized early on the international art scene. He broke through as a history painter but also painted landscapes of the New Zealand archipelago in an impressionistic style. Above all, it was his technical skill and versatility as an artist that contributed to his success. He received several honors, prizes, and orders.
Among Roses was painted outside his summer villa in Haiko, Finland. Albert Edelfelt built a studio at the villa in 1883 and spent all his summers there. It was also in Haiko that he died in 1905, aged only 51.
