Carl Larsson (1853–1919)

I love Carl Larsson's work - his landscapes, his portraits, his folksy home decorations - but although I have long been aware, in a sort of peripheral way, that his paintings had been incorporated into a number of picture-books, I didn't think to track them down until a goodreads friend (thanks, Krista!) reviewed one. This one. It goes without saying that it is a beautiful book, but A Farm is also immensely educational, in an engaging, fun way. Not only did I learn a little bit more about show more Larsson himself, and his life at his country home, Little Hyttnäs, but I also gained quite a bit of insight into the farming life in rural Sweden, at the turn of the 19th/20th century. This book, with text by Lennart Rudström (based upon Larsson's own recollections), and painting by Larsson, documents a year in the life of Spadarvet, the farm just next door to Little Hyttnäs, that Larsson purchased in 1897.

The text is quite extensive, so this is not one for beginning readers, or for younger children with short attention spans - although even they might appreciate the artwork! - but for those with an appreciation for quiet joys, and the details of life as it was lived more than one hundred years ago in Sweden. From the thinning of the trees in winter, to the cow-herding in summer, the many activities of the farm find their way into the story, while little informational asides (also text heavy!) give further information. The artwork is simply luminous - the sort of paintings one likes to pore over, or page through, again and again. Recommended to all Carl Larsson fans, and to those young readers with an interest in farming practices of the past, or who enjoy historical fiction. show less

One of a number of children's books featuring the artwork of Swedish painter Carl Larsson - see also: A Farm and A Family - with text (based upon Larsson's own recollections) by Lennart Rudström, this lovely title explores the world of Little Hyttnäs, Larsson's summer home in the countryside. Documenting the gorgeous domestic painting that Larsson did - his groundbreaking style, in painting the rooms and furniture in his house had a great influence on matters of interior design - as well show more as the life of his family at Little Hyttnäs, the paintings here are paired with informative textual blurbs that give more details about the subjects being presented.

The second of these children's titles I have thus far read - I'm a little puzzled by the claim made by a fellow reviewer, that these aren't children's books, as the text on the back cover explicitly notes that Lennart Rudström wrote them for children - A Home is (naturally) immensely appealing on a visual level, as well as being most informative. I've been an admirer of Larsson's work since first I saw it, at the National Museum in Stockholm, and would love to visit Little Hyttnäs some day, and see some of these scenes in person, so I was pretty much guaranteed to appreciate this one! In addition to the beautiful paintings, the text gives readers an idea of what country life would have been like for Larsson and his family, so many years ago. It is quite extensive, so this is not a picture-book I would recommend to very young children, but for those capable of getting through more challenging texts, who are interested in history and/or art, this would make a lovely gift! I think I need to track down the third picture-book in this series, A Family, as I feel sure I would appreciate it as much as the others. show less

One of three children's picture-books to incorporate the domestic painting of beloved Swedish artist Carl Larsson - see also: A Home and A Farm - with text, based upon Larsson's own memoirs, by Lennart Rudström, A Family offers a lovely portrait of the painter's family, whom he often used as models, in his work. These paintings, however, are of the family as themselves, going about their daily tasks, or captured in moments of rest. One of my all-time favorite Larsson pieces, Studio Idyll, show more which depicts the artist's wife Karin, together with their newborn daughter, Suzanne, is included.

Needless to say, this is a book with brilliant illustrations! The text, too, is very appealing, offering a window into that other time, and the lives of one artistic family, in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Sweden. There is more detail given here, as compared to the other two picture-books, about Larsson's artistic process, which was interesting. Taken together, I think this trio of titles - A Home, A Farm and A Family - are a wonderful introduction to this important artist's work (and to his family) for young readers. show less

Sigh! Why can't this be MY home?