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Nils Dardel: The Broken Statue II (1917) | Art Poster
Nils Dardel: The Broken Statue II (1917) | Art Poster
A strange and poetic Swedish art poster featuring a headless statue, a woman carrying a sculpted head and figures gathered in a dreamlike garden. Nils Dardel’s The Broken Statue II from 1917 combines pale colour, theatrical storytelling and an unsettling sense of calm.
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Details
A strange and poetic Swedish art poster featuring a headless statue, a woman carrying a sculpted head and figures gathered in a dreamlike garden. Nils Dardel’s The Broken Statue II from 1917 combines pale colour, theatrical storytelling and an unsettling sense of calm.
Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.
- Swedish modernist artwork by Nils Dardel
- Created and dated on Christmas Eve 1917
- Dreamlike composition with a broken statue and garden figures
- Original made with watercolour, opaque white and pencil
- Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
- Available in four sizes
- Frame not included
A garden filled with unanswered questions
A tall white statue stands at the centre of the composition, holding a stringed instrument despite its missing head. Beside it, a woman appears to carry the detached sculpted head in her hands. A finely dressed man sits on a bench with a flower between his lips.
Animals and smaller figures occupy the foreground. Behind them, white flowers grow beside a blue stream, while a church and rows of crosses appear on a distant rise. The scene resembles a story caught halfway through, with its meaning left deliberately open.
Beauty, damage and quiet melancholy
The broken statue introduces a feeling of loss into an otherwise bright garden. Dardel surrounds it with pale blue skies, soft foliage and delicately dressed figures. The cheerful colours make the damaged figure appear even more conspicuous.
The cemetery and church in the background add another layer to the image. Life continues around the statue, yet signs of mortality remain visible. Dardel often used theatrical figures and symbolic objects to explore emotional tension without explaining every detail.
A Christmas gift to Nita Wallenberg
The work is signed and dated Christmas Eve 1917. It carries a partly indistinct dedication to Nita Wallenberg, expressing Dardel’s friendship and admiration. The artwork entered her collection as a personal gift from the artist.
The original remained associated with Nita, later Mrs Nita Söderlund, before appearing at auction in Stockholm in 1978. It has also been shown in several major Dardel exhibitions, including exhibitions at Liljevalchs Konsthall, Malmö Museum and Moderna Museet.
“To Nita Wallenberg, with friendship and admiration.”
About Nils Dardel
Nils Elias Kristofer von Dardel was born in Bettna, Sweden, in 1888. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm before travelling through Europe and encountering the artistic movements developing in Paris.
His paintings and watercolours are known for elegant figures, intense personal symbolism and compositions that resemble scenes from plays or dreams. Beneath their decorative surfaces, his pictures often contain anxiety, desire and an awareness of death.
Artwork details
| Artist | Nils Elias Kristofer von Dardel (1888–1943) |
|---|---|
| Swedish title | Den sönderslagna statyn II |
| English title | The Broken Statue II |
| Date | Christmas Eve 1917 |
| Technique | Watercolour, opaque white and pencil on paper |
| Original dimensions | 35 × 22.5 cm |
| Signature | Signed Nils Dardel |
| Dedication | To Nita Wallenberg, partly indistinct |
| Original recipient | Nita Wallenberg, later Nita Söderlund |
| Current provenance | Private collection |
Available sizes
| Centimetres | Inches |
|---|---|
| 30 × 40 cm | 12 × 16″ |
| 40 × 50 cm | 16 × 20″ |
| 50 × 70 cm | 20 × 28″ |
| 70 × 100 cm | 28 × 40″ |
Swedish modernism with a dreamlike edge
The pale blue, green and ochre tones give the poster a light appearance, while the unusual subject creates a stronger and more enigmatic mood. It works well in a living room, creative workspace or reading corner with warm wood and understated colours.
Explore more works in our Swedish art collection, or pair the poster with Dardel’s celebrated The Dying Dandy.
Frequently asked questions
What does The Broken Statue II depict?
The composition shows a headless statue holding a stringed instrument, a woman carrying a sculpted head, garden figures, animals and a distant churchyard.
When was the artwork created?
Nils Dardel signed and dated the work on Christmas Eve 1917.
Who was the original recipient?
Dardel gave the artwork to Nita Wallenberg with a personal dedication expressing friendship and admiration.
Which materials did Dardel use?
The original was created with watercolour, opaque white and pencil on paper.
Where is the original artwork?
The work is recorded as belonging to a private collection. Its provenance and exhibition history have been documented by Bukowskis.
What paper is the poster printed on?
The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm quality paper with a matte, non-reflective surface.
Is a frame included?
No. The frame is not included, allowing you to choose one that suits the poster and your interior.
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Created on request - near you.
- We only print when you order, using FSC-certified or equivalent matte paper (200 gsm, 0.26 mm) for a refined, non-reflective finish.
- Local production helps reduce shipping distance and emissions.
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