Utsikt över Slussen

Sigrid Hjertén has opened her studio window towards Slussen, in 1919. From the high balcony, she has a magnificent view of Stockholm, the Old Town, Riddarholmskyrkan and the new City Hall under construction. Down there the street is bustling and Hjertén translates the chaotic scene into colours. With a deft hand she contrasts the warm reddish-gold curtain with the green and red rooftops, the blue torn sky and the black chimneys of the boats. By refinedly placing warm and cold colours against each other, and with a modern expression, Hjertén breaks new ground with her painting. The year before, together with Isaac Grünewald and Leander Engström, she participated in the major expressionist exhibition at Liljevalchs. The exhibition is considered the breakthrough of modern painting in Sweden and was received with mixed reviews.