A memory of days gone by and a symbol of Swedish serenity, Kafferep vid Långsjön ('Coffee Break at Lake Långsjön') stands as Bror Hjorth's most significant work and an emblem of 20th-century Swedish art. As May approaches, Uppsala Auktionskammare is preparing to auction off this masterpiece. The opportunity to bid on a piece by one of Sweden's great modernists is bound to attract art collectors from across the country.
Related: Swedish Folk Art: Timeless Charm
Bror Hjorth received his primary artistic education in Paris, residing and practicing there throughout the 1920s. His tenure in the French metropolis exposed him to a blend of ancient and modern artistic influences. Hjorth drew inspiration from Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures and relief art, alongside the works of sculptors like Constantin Brâncuși and Ossip Zadkine, as well as painters such as Paul Gauguin and Eugène Delacroix.
Related: Eugène Delacroix: 5 Facts to Know
Having primarily focused on sculpture during the 1930s, Hjorth transitioned to producing numerous paintings depicting models within interior settings and familial scenes throughout the 1940s.
In the monumental painting Kafferep vid Långsjön from 1940, Bror Hjorth captures the recollection of a joyous day spent with cherished ones at Långsjön in Kambo, situated a few kilometers north of Uppsala, near Stockholm, where Hjorth resided and maintained his summer studio.
Kafferep vid Långsjön portrays a birthday celebration for Hjorth's sister-in-law Lilli. Seated on the sofa are his mother Charlotta, flanked by his father Emil and Bror himself, each sporting their distinctive round glasses, straight bangs, berets, and bow ties. Across from them on the blue sofa sits his wife Tove, clad in a yellow jacket. On the right, the hostess is depicted holding the coffee pot, while children dance in the soft glow of the setting sun.
One of the children depicted is Eva Cederblad (later Nordenson), situated on the far right alongside Barbro Hjorth, Bror's niece. Eva features in several of Bror Hjorth's paintings from the 1930s and 1940s, including Wild Indians at Lake Långsjön (1941), Flowering Eva (1943), and Blue Eva (1943). In her later years, Eva achieved prominence in the art sphere, serving as curator at the National Museum (1953-77), director of Kulturen i Lund (1977-82), and subsequently as director of Skansen (1982-92).
Stay up to date with the latest news from the art and auction world: subscribe to Barneby's free newsletter!
Kafferep vid Långsjön stands as one of the icons of 20th-century Swedish art and is Bror Hjorth's most renowned painting. True to his signature style, characterized by sturdy design and vibrant hues, Kafferep vid Långsjön encapsulates his exuberance for life.
The painting previously adorned the foyer of Operakällaren, the residence of director Hasse Ekman and businessman Carl-Eric Björkegren. Most recently, it was featured in the Nationalmuseum's exhibition 'The Garden - Art and Nature Through Six Centuries' (February 2023 - January 2024).
Related: A Brief History of Sweden's Nationalmuseum
The last recorded sale of the painting at auction took place in autumn 2006, fetching the record sum of SEK 12.5 million (SEK 14.5 million including fees, about $1.36 million) at Bukowski's autumn auction for modern art. The purchaser was art collector and businessman Kent Löwenberg (1943-2022).
Kafferep vid Långsjön is anticipated to fetch between SEK 12-15 million (about $1.1-1.4 million) when it goes under the hammer at the upcoming 'International Quality Auction for Modern & Contemporary Art + Design' hosted by Uppsala Auktionskammare. The auction is scheduled to take place at Nybrogatan 20 in Stockholm from May 14-16.
In November 2023, another masterful work by Bror Hjorth went under the gavel. It was Peasant Wedding that was sold at Uppsala Auktionskammare. The 1924 painting made its auction debut and sold for an impressive SEK 5,476,000 (about $511,786).
Related: A Peasant Wedding Makes its Auction Debut
We'll know the final price of the iconic 1940 painting and whether the artist's 2006 record will be surpassed in a few weeks.
