Sam Uhrdin was an accomplished Swedish painter of scenes, portraits, and landscapes.
Born in Tasbäck, Dalarna, Sam Uhrdin was raised in the most idyllic surroundings. Where handicrafts were integral to the local culture. Dalarna is blessed with mountains, views, and picturesque lakes - everything an artist could wish for. His father, the rather splendidly named Sam Uhr Uhrdin the Elder, was a master of ‘Kurbit painting’, which is a folk art style involving bright and elaborately designed furnishings. From an early age, young Uhrdin was surely inspired.
After his initial tuition at home, he moved to Stockholm - painting in the daytime and studying in the evening. Quite an adventure for a 17-year-old. His ambition took him to America where he worked as a sign painter before returning home via London and Paris. It’s interesting to consider how he felt when surrounded by the vibrancy of urban life.
In 1911, with the assistance of patronage, he enrolled at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts while also training at Althin's painting school. Here, he developed as a portrait painter of some distinction and became popular with bourgeois clients. In fact, he became so busy that his studies were cut short as he was inundated with commissions. His notoriety for capturing a likeness culminating in a portrait of Prime Minister Nils Edén.
Away from the rigour of formal portraits, Uhrdin’s passion was for genre painting, as we see here. He loved the ‘old valley culture’ and painted numerous villagers undertaking everyday activities. His scenes often include objects and costumes collected on his travels - as his own home was a treasure trove of materials.
In 1935, he acquired ‘Tibble Manor’, a traditional rural building, which also became a studio and it’s plausible that it became the backdrop for many of his interiors. He continued to paint well into his seventies.
Sam Uhrdin is represented in numerous public collections including the National Museum in Stockholm, Leksand's Art Gallery, and Uppsala University.
Exhibited
Swedish Artists Association in Stockholm, Valand-Chalmers in Gothenburg, Konstnärshuset in Stockholm.
Public Collections
National Museum in Stockholm, Leksand's Art Gallery, Uppsala University, Leksand's Church.
Timeline
1886
Born in Tasbäck, Siljansnäs, Sweden to Sam Uhr Uhrdin the Elder (1863-1941), a master painter.
1903
Undertook a study trip to Stockholm.
1906
Travelled to the USA.
1908
Left the USA and returned to Leksand via London and Paris.
1911
Enrolled at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm, alongside his ad hoc studies at Althin's School of Painting.
1915
Married Rosa Tornblad.
1917
Shown at the Swedish Artists Association in Stockholm.
1919
Produced a portrait of Swedish Prime Minister Nils Edén.
1921
Received a scholarship from the Academy and undertook further trips to the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
1923
Shown at the Valand-Chalmers in Gothenburg.
1927
Married Erna Hanson.
1932
Shown at the Konstnärshuset in Stockholm.
1964
Died in Stockholm.