Thread: Eugène Jansson (1862-1915) was a unique Swedish artist who was known as the Blue Painter for his atmospheric cityscapes of Stockholm & also painted dynamic figure studies in later life. 
Born in Stockholm, into a family who valued education, he was struck down at 14y with Scarlet Fever which damaged his health for life. He studied art before going to the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in 1881. Boys on the Beach (1884) Portraits (1880) & Sunny Day (1880)
Jansson was a gifted artist, as is apparent from his early works. His Bathing Boys is striking for its unusual & geometric composition. Bathing Boys (1884), Self-Portrait (1880s), Newspaper Boy (c1880s) & undated Still Life
He was part of the Swedish avant-garde, joining the Opponents. Nice Walk (1887). Self-portrait & Portrait of his Brother (c1880s). Both brothers were very close. Stormy night (1898)
His early work consisted of portraits & still lives, before later turning to his signature paintings of Stockholm. His Brother Adrian (1887), In the Park (1887), Rosslagatan (1889) & Summers Day (1887-9). His compositions are impressive in their sophistication
His self-portrait is a homage to his blue city scenes of Stockholm. Self-portrait (1901), Tor Hedberg (c1912) & Ernest Thiel (1902). His image of Thiel is startling for its chromatic saturation
There is a certain lack of confidence in his 1900 Self-portrait & we know he lived life almost as a recluse - he had hearing problems which isolated him too. Self-portrait (1900), Hornsgatan (1902 & 1902) & Dancing Marines (1890)
He lived with his mother & brother all his life, in a flat overlooking much of the city. His night views from 1890s-1904 were usually painted from this vantage. Soluppgang over Staden (1890), The Ring (1896), Sunrise (1890) & Karlbergsvägen (1890)
An exhibition of the work of Edvard Munch (1894) in Stockholm opened up new ideas of depiction for him. Evening (1894), Dawn (1899), Riddarfjärden (1898) & Timmermansgatan (1899). In some ways his is a Swedish marriage of the work of Le Sidaner, Van Gogh & Munch.
His work moved from a post-Impressionist style to an almost abstract one as his brushwork became freer & more expressive. Summer Evening (1894), Evening in February (1892), Månskensnatt (1895) & Maj Demonstration (1896). His landscapes glow with colour & vibrate with energy
In 1900 he travelled abroad, he had been unable to do so with his contemporaries earlier in his career due to a lack of funds. He visited Paris (1900) & Germany & Italy (1901). Twilight (1902), Sunrise (1903), Hornsgatan (1902) & Riddarfjärden (1898)
After 1904 Jansson grew tired of his Blue Paintings & turned instead to figure studies. He found his sitters in the navy bathhouse. His works celebrated the masculine athletic culture of Stockholm. Seated Nude (1907), Nude (1907, c1906 & 1906)
The success of his Blue Paintings had given him financial security allowing him to paint studies of nude men which also fitted with an interest in athleticism/vitalism at the time. Flottans Badhus (1907) & Two Models (1908) & Seated Nude (c1906)
In turning to depicting the Male form he found a subject that he was passionate about. That authentic emotion raised the work to a groundbreaking importance. Self-portrait (1910), Badsump (1911), Ring Gymnast I (1911) & Ring Gymnast II (1911)
Recently, with greater interest in diversity he has been identified as a gay artist & that some of his models were probably his partners too. Athletes (1912), Navy Ball (1912), Weightlifter (1912) & Pushing Weights (1914). His work would echo in that of Cadmus & Hockney
Jansson’s striking cityscapes with their beautiful skies & daring brush work are important Swedish art. His series of athletes & nudes are landmarks in the development of LGBTQI art
