Johan Tirén (1853-1911) was a distinguished Swedish painter known for his genre paintings with evocative depictions of rural life in Northern Sweden. Born the elder brother of fellow artist Karl Tirén, Johan moved with his family to Oviken in Jämtland when he was seven, where his father assumed the role of Vicar.
Johan initially pursued his education at the Tekniska skolan in Stockholm before advancing to the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts from 1877 to 1880. During his time at the Academy, he earned a Royal Medal in 1880 for his painting “Loki Imprisoned by Æsir.” His work “A Jämtland Legend,” which featured his classmate Anders Zorn as the model for the näck (water spirit), garnered significant public attention when displayed at the Academy.
In 1881, Johan’s studies took him to Norrland, after which he secured a scholarship enabling him to embark on a study tour. This journey took him through the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and Upper Bavaria. Although directed by the Academy’s Director to study in Munich, Johan chose instead to return to Paris after a summer in Denmark. There, he studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme but felt uninspired by the artistic environment. With his travel funds depleted, he settled back in Jämtland, where he focused on painting landscapes and scenes depicting the Sami people’s lives.
In 1884, Johan married fellow painter Gerda Rydberg, and their children, Nils and Stina, also pursued artistic careers. Johan became an ardent advocate for Sami rights, famously painting a provocative scene in 1892 showing Sami reindeer that had been shot by a farmer. This piece was inspired by an actual event involving landowner William Farup of Ljusnedal, who ordered the slaughter of Sami reindeer to facilitate land development.
I enjoyed reading and seeing illustrations about the life of Johan. He really captured the time and place beautifully.
Very lifelike scenes. I had never heard of him before.
The artist’s portrayal of rural life in Northern Sweden is indeed vivid and evocative.
Happy Wednesday!