Johan Krouthén: Water Vegetation (1885) | Art Poster

A peaceful Swedish landscape poster filled with water plants, reflections and dense summer greenery. Johan Krouthén’s painting from 1885 brings the viewer close to the quiet wetlands of Östergötland and reveals the richness of an easily overlooked corner of nature.

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

• Swedish landscape painting by Johan Krouthén
• Motif from Östergötland, painted in 1885
• Lush water plants and soft reflections
• Large original painting in oil on canvas
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

Life along the water’s edge

Krouthén directs attention toward the dense vegetation growing beside and within the water. Reeds, grasses and leafy plants fill much of the foreground, while the open water creates a calmer space farther into the composition.

The landscape is rich in green tones, yet small changes in light keep the surface varied. Reflections connect the water with the trees and sky, while the detailed plants make the scene feel immediate and close.

A landscape from Östergötland

The painting was signed in 1885 and records a location in Östergötland, the Swedish province where Krouthén was born and spent much of his working life. Rather than choosing a famous viewpoint, he focused on an ordinary piece of wetland vegetation.

The low viewpoint gives the plants a strong presence. Nature appears untidy and abundant, with stems and leaves growing across one another. Krouthén’s careful observation turns this quiet place into a substantial landscape painting measuring almost two metres across.

“In French-trained, light-filled plein-air painting, he depicted sunlit landscapes.”

Naturalism and outdoor painting

Krouthén belonged to a generation of Scandinavian artists who moved away from constructed studio landscapes and studied nature outdoors. His paintings from the 1880s show a close interest in natural light, local scenery and precise observation.

In Water Vegetation, the subject remains modest, but the large format gives it weight. Light across the water and the many textures of the vegetation create movement without disturbing the painting’s calm atmosphere.

About Johan Krouthén

Johan Fredrik Krouthén was born in Linköping in 1858. He became known as a Swedish landscape and portrait painter, with a particular interest in sunlit outdoor scenes and the countryside around Östergötland.

His later work often included gardens, flowering fruit trees and rural idylls. Water Vegetation belongs to an earlier and more naturalistic period, when his attention was directed toward the immediate appearance of the landscape.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Green tones for a calm interior

The abundant greenery and reflective water give this poster a restful presence. It works well in a bedroom, living room, reading corner or home office, especially with light wood, linen and warm neutral walls.

Explore more Swedish landscapes in our Swedish art collection.

Frequently asked questions

What does Water Vegetation depict?

The painting shows lush plants growing beside and within a body of water in Östergötland, Sweden.

When was the artwork painted?

Johan Krouthén signed the painting in 1885.

How large is the original painting?

The original oil painting measures 132 × 196 cm.

Where is the original artwork?

The original belongs to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and has inventory number NM 1397.

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.