Midsummer in Scandinavian Art: Paintings by Astrup, Zorn, Zoll, Lindgren, and Krøyer
The summer solstice, rooted in pagan traditions and later associated with St. John the Baptist, is celebrated across Scandinavia in late June. This article examines five paintings depicting midsummer festivities. Nikolai Astrup's 'Bonfire Celebrating Midsummer Night' (1926, National Museum, Oslo) shows a Norwegian bonfire believed to ward off witches. Anders Zorn's 'Midsummer Dance' (1897, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm) captures Swedish maypole dancing with impressionist warmth. Kilian Zoll's 'Midsummer Dance in Rättvik' (1852, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm) offers a broader view of village celebrations. Emil Lindgren's 'Midsummer' (1937) focuses on preparation, using unusually vibrant colors. P.S. Krøyer's 'Midsummer Eve Bonfire on Skagen’s Beach' (1906, Skagens Museum) depicts the Danish Sankt Hans Aften with a beach bonfire and hymn singing. The article also mentions Ari Aster's 2019 horror film 'Midsommar' as a contrasting depiction.
Key facts
- Midsummer is celebrated in late June across Scandinavia.
- The tradition has pagan roots and was later associated with St. John the Baptist.
- Nikolai Astrup's 'Bonfire Celebrating Midsummer Night' (1926) is at the National Museum, Oslo.
- Anders Zorn's 'Midsummer Dance' (1897) is at the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm.
- Kilian Zoll's 'Midsummer Dance in Rättvik' (1852) is at the Nationalmuseum, Stockholm.
- Emil Lindgren's 'Midsummer' (1937) depicts preparation for the celebration.
- P.S. Krøyer's 'Midsummer Eve Bonfire on Skagen’s Beach' (1906) is at the Skagens Museum.
- Ari Aster's 2019 film 'Midsommar' portrays midsummer as part of a pagan cult.
Entities
Artists
- Nikolai Astrup
- Anders Zorn
- Kilian Zoll
- Emil Lindgren
- P.S. Krøyer
- Ari Aster
Institutions
- National Museum, Oslo
- Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
- Skagens Museum
- Fine Art America
Locations
- Norway
- Jølster
- Sweden
- Stockholm
- Rättvik
- Denmark
- Skagen
- Stavanger