Christmas Morning 1909

Ola Larsson painted 'Christmas Morning' with oils, and I'm guessing it was sometime around the turn of the century. The muted palette feels very Northern European, all soft browns and greys, creating a quiet, almost melancholic mood. I love how the artist builds up the scene with these gentle tones. It's as if he's feeling his way through the space. Take a look at the tablecloth. Larsson uses short, choppy brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the fabric. It's not about perfect representation but about capturing the feeling of the scene, you know? The paint isn’t too thick, but you can still see the individual marks, the hand of the artist at work. Notice how the light catches the edges of the strokes, creating a subtle shimmer. It reminds me a bit of Vilhelm Hammershøi, that same sense of stillness and introspection. Art isn't about answers, but about opening up possibilities.