Oscar Torna was a Swedish painter, draughtsman and illustrator primarily known for landscapes. He was an important figure in the evolution of Swedish naturalism.

Born in Kättilstad parish, Östergötland, Torna initially trained in commerce before pursuing his artistic endeavours. In 1863, he enrolled at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and embarked on a lengthy period of formal tuition.

Considered one of its most promising students, his early works were soon exhibited by the Academy, where they were met enthusiastically. His ‘Oak Forest with Approaching Storm’ was acquired by the Stockholm Art Association.

At this point in his career, his methods were based upon the views of his tutors, which tended to be formulaic. He’d been instructed, for example, to adopt pleasing compositions, which idealised the natural world, rather than replicated it. Individualism was frowned upon and the old masters were glorified. Budding artists were also discouraged from completing a work entirely outside as studies from nature were seen as little more than a memory aid. Finished works were typically undertaken within the confines of studios.

Despite his early success, Torna was plagued by restlessness and sought to broaden his horizons via travel - first heading to Düsseldorf, the home of academic landscape painting. Yet, despite its riches, he soon became disenchanted by the lack of innovation and moved to Paris - a city abundant with new ideas.

Here, within the cafes and ateliers, he discovered a culture blossoming with individual spirit - urging its artists to express their unique characteristics. In nearby Fontainebleau, painters such as Charles-François Daubigny and Jules Louis Dupré were completing finished works instinctively from life. Easel under one arm, ham and wine under the other, canvases strapped to their backs. It was liberating, free, and, importantly, real.

Torna was mesmerised and undertook a six-month study trip in 1876 with a group of French artists to learn the methods of working ‘en plein air’. It was physically harder than he’d imagined, with the added requirement of carrying all of his equipment, but the standard of his output during this period suggests he adapted quickly.

He documented his experiences in ‘Summer Landscape Near Fontainebleau (1876)’, which is currently in Sweden’s Nationalmuseum.

Oscar Torna, Summer Landscape Near Fontainebleau (1876)

Later that year, he travelled to the picturesque village of Grez-sur-Loing, near Fontainebleau, and painted along its river. Attached at various points to its banks are wooden wash-houses, which became a point of interest for numerous visiting artists. He included one on the right in this nocturne from 1878.

Oscar Torna, River Landscape, Grez-Sur-Loing, Nocturne (1878)

He produced a near identical daylight composition titled ‘River Landscape, Grez-sur-Loing’, which was subsequently acquired by the academy as reference material for students. His plein air studies were met with broad appeal and he was shown twice at the Paris Salon.

Returning to Sweden, he arranged a solo exhibition and continued to evolve his techniques with his subjects derived from Stockholm's plentiful archipelago. Over time, his works became an amalgamation of his formal academic principles and the expressive attitudes of the French. It could be referred to as ‘academic naturalism’.

Today, he’s regarded as an influential figure in the changing attitudes of late 19th-century Swedish art. He’s represented at the National Museum, Riksdagshuset, Gothenburg's art museum, Östergötland, Malmö Museum, Norrköping Art Museum, the Academy of Arts, the Nordic Museum and Lund University Art Museum.

Exhibited

Paris Salon, Swedish Royal Academy, Art Association for Southern Sweden, Norrland Art Association, Artists' Association, Gothenburg Exhibition, World Exhibition in Paris.

Public Collections

National Museum, Riksdagshuset, Gothenburg's art museum, Östergötland, Malmö Museum, Norrköping Art Museum, the Academy of Arts, the Nordic Museum and Lund University Art Museum.

Timeline

1842

Born in Kättilstad parish, Östergötland, Sweden, to Gudmund Teurneau, a tailor, and Anna Maja Persdotter.

C. 1856

Initially became a student of Commerce before switching to painting.

1863

Enrolled at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm.

1868

Works shown at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm where his ‘Oak Forest with Approaching Storm’ was purchased by the Stockholm Art Association.

1870

Awarded a royal medal for his depiction of a Nordic landscape under moonlight.

1873

Undertook a study trip to Düsseldorf.

Awarded a three-year travel scholarship.

1874

Visited the International Art Exhibition in Brussels.
Undertook a study trip to Paris.

Lived in Montigny-sur-Loing and Marlotte, France.

1876

Undertook a six-month study trip with some French artists to study the techniques and methods associated with painting ‘en plein air’.

1877

Shown at the Paris Salon.

1878

Shown at the Paris Salon.
Shown at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Returned to Sweden and organised an exhibition of his French works via the Swedish Art Association in Stockholm.

1885

Shown at an exhibition of the ‘The Opponents’.

1894

Died in Stockholm.

Reviews

Le Soir, 1878, Salon Review

“Thus, the Gorge aux Loups is certainly a good page by Mr. Oscar Torna, whose work is somewhat reminiscent of Wahlberg, that inimitable master so imitated by his compatriots. This well-known ravine is very skilfully treated by Mr. Torna, who, moreover, has proven himself and knows how to paint.”