This mid-20th-century Swedish oil painting depicts a tranquil view across shimmering water towards a lighthouse and distant coastline. It’s possibly a vista within the Swedish archipelago.

Amid gentle blue impressionistic marks, a silvery channel of moonlight creates an abundant vertical as it rests upon the ripples. The moon itself hangs bashfully behind passing clouds. A quaint lighthouse quietly guides a passing sailboat safely around an outcrop - as it has done for decades. While a cluster of illuminated cottages is denoted with highlights.

Can you imagine the artist perched upon the rocks, sketching under a full moon? How would it feel to live in a cottage by the lighthouse?

The painting is signed ‘Joh. Johannson’, which could relate to the Swedish artist Johan Johansson (1879-1951) who often painted scenes on the West Coast.

Signed lower right and held within a 20th-century moulded frame, probably original.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 40½” x 30½” / 103cm x 78cm
Year of creation: c. 1950
Condition: Artwork presents well. Minor paint loss top right. Frame with some light wear.