Eugène Jansson: Riddarfjärden, Stockholm (1898)

An atmospheric Stockholm art poster filled with deep blue water, distant city lights and a narrow band of evening sky. Eugène Jansson’s Riddarfjärden, Stockholm from 1898 turns a familiar city view into an intense and dreamlike nocturne.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Swedish cityscape by Eugène Jansson
• View across Riddarfjärden from Mariaberget
• Painted in Stockholm in 1898
• Deep blue palette with glowing waterfront lights
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

Stockholm seen from Mariaberget

Jansson painted the view from his studio high above Riddarfjärden on Södermalm. The broad surface of the water occupies most of the composition. Beyond it, the illuminated shoreline stretches across the horizon beneath church towers and a darkening sky.

Small lights along the quays form pale reflections in the water. In the foreground, brighter lamps dissolve into circular, swirling shapes. The city remains recognisable, yet Jansson has simplified it until light, colour and atmosphere become the main subjects.

The blue city after sunset

Blue dominates the painting, moving from near-black tones in the water to cooler shades in the sky. A thin reddish line near the horizon marks the last trace of daylight. This restrained contrast gives the scene its depth and quiet tension.

Jansson’s curved brushstrokes make the sky and water feel restless. Buildings and landmarks appear as silhouettes, while the scattered lights establish the rhythm of the city. The empty view feels private, as though Stockholm has briefly fallen silent.

“the moods of the city”

A major work from Jansson’s blue period

During the 1890s and early 1900s, Eugène Jansson repeatedly painted Stockholm at dusk, dawn and night. His intense use of blue earned him the nickname “the blue painter”. Fellow artists also called him “Paraffin Jansson” because the glowing lights in his pictures reminded them of paraffin lamps.

Riddarfjärden, Stockholm was completed in 1898 and entered Nationalmuseum the following year. It was given by a group of art friends through the writer Klas Fåhræus and the professor Ivar Bendixson.

About Eugène Jansson

Eugène Fredrik Jansson was born in Stockholm in 1862. He studied at Edvard Perséus’s painting school and attended the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts. Stockholm remained his principal subject, particularly the streets, working-class districts and waterfronts around Södermalm.

His cityscapes combine observed places with strong personal emotion. After 1904, he largely left the blue Stockholm views behind and devoted himself to paintings of swimmers, athletes and the male body. He died in 1915.

Artwork details

Available sizes

A dark blue focal point for the room

The deep navy, violet and charcoal tones give the poster a calm but commanding presence. The reflected lights introduce small areas of warmth and prevent the nocturnal palette from feeling flat.

The motif suits a living room, bedroom, hallway or workspace with pale walls, dark wood and understated textiles. Explore more works in our Swedish art collection, or combine it with Anders Zorn’s Midsummer Dance.

Frequently asked questions

What does the painting depict?

It shows Riddarfjärden and the illuminated centre of Stockholm at dusk, viewed from Mariaberget on Södermalm.

When did Eugène Jansson paint the work?

The painting is signed and dated 1898.

Why was Jansson called the blue painter?

Many of his Stockholm cityscapes are dominated by deep blue and violet tones, especially his views painted at dusk and during the night.

Where is the original painting?

The original belongs to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and is registered under inventory number NM 1699.

How large is the original?

The original oil painting measures 150 × 135 cm.

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 select one that suits the poster and your interior.