Anders Zorn: Midsummer Dance (1897) | Swedish Art Poster

A lively Swedish art poster featuring Anders Zorn’s Midsummer Dance from 1897. Couples sweep across a village courtyard beneath the pale Nordic night sky, capturing the movement and atmosphere of a traditional celebration in Dalarna.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper, as close to you as possible. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Iconic Swedish painting by Anders Zorn
• Midsummer celebration in Dalarna
• Created for the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897
• Expressive movement and luminous summer-night colours
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

Dancing through the Nordic summer night

A chain of dancers moves rapidly through the village courtyard. The couples closest to the viewer are caught in mid-step, while more figures disappear into the crowd beneath the raised maypole.

The low summer-night light gives the scene its distinctive atmosphere. Pale blue sky and whitewashed walls form a quiet background for the dark clothes, red details and animated faces of the dancers. Zorn’s free brushwork makes the movement feel immediate.

A celebration arranged by Zorn

The painting grew from a celebration that Zorn organised in Mora in 1896. He obtained a maypole and invited young people from the area to dance, even though the church had prohibited public Midsummer celebrations in the centre of the village.

Zorn used his observations from the event while preparing the painting for the Stockholm Exhibition of 1897. He placed the experience of dancing and the unusual nocturnal light at the centre of the composition rather than allowing the maypole to dominate the scene.

“Once it was up, a reel was played and people danced hand-in-hand around the maypole.”

Movement, light and shared rhythm

The dancers form a winding line that enters the picture from the foreground and continues towards the distant houses. This sweeping movement connects the individual couples with the larger celebration.

Zorn combines quick, confident brushstrokes with carefully observed gestures. A hand placed on a shoulder, a lifted foot and a face turned towards a partner are enough to suggest music and physical momentum. The pale sky reveals that the dancing continues deep into a bright Scandinavian night.

A Swedish cultural icon

Midsummer Dance was completed one year after Anders and Emma Zorn settled permanently in Mora. During this period, the artist became increasingly interested in the customs and everyday life of his native Dalarna.

Zorn regarded the painting highly, and it became one of his best-known depictions of Swedish folk culture. Nationalmuseum received the work as a gift in 1903. A smaller replica, commissioned by an American collector in the same year, remains privately owned.

About Anders Zorn

Anders Zorn was born in Mora in 1860 and trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts. His international career brought him to London, Paris and the United States, where he became a sought-after portrait painter.

After returning to Mora, he devoted greater attention to Dalarna and its local traditions. His ability to capture fleeting light and physical movement is central to Midsummer Dance. Read more about his life and work at the Zorn Museum.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Swedish summer colour for the home

The pale blue sky, warm village walls and animated dancers give this poster a festive character without making the composition visually heavy. The vertical format is well suited to a living room, dining area or entrance hall.

Pair it with light wood and natural textiles, or explore more historic works in our collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

What does Midsommardans mean?

The Swedish title means Midsummer Dance. The painting shows villagers dancing during the bright Nordic summer night.

Did Zorn paint an actual celebration?

Zorn organised a Midsummer celebration in Mora in 1896 and used his observations while developing the final painting.

When was the painting completed?

It was signed and completed in 1897 for the major Stockholm Exhibition held that year.

Where is the original painting?

The original belongs to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and is registered under inventory number NM 1603.

What paper is the poster printed on?

It is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm matte quality paper with a smooth, non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The poster is supplied without a frame, allowing you to select one that suits your home.