Artwork
Portrait of the Painter Nils Kreuger

Portrait of the Painter Nils Kreuger is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Richard Bergh. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Technique & Style
Richard Bergh executed the Portrait of the Painter Nils Kreuger in 1883 using oil paint on a canvas support. The work measures 120.5 cm in height and 102.5 cm in width. Classified as a portrait, the painting depicts the artist Nils Kreuger and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The piece has been associated with exhibitions regarding 1880s Nordic painting.
History & Provenance
The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains located.
Richard Bergh executed the oil painting Portrait of the Painter Nils Kreuger in 1883. The work depicts the artist Nils Kreuger and is rendered on canvas with dimensions of 120.5 cm in height and 102.5 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains located. Historical records indicate the work was included in the exhibition titled "1880-erne i nordisk maleri."
The work is held in the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, with inventory number RM1905. The painting was created in 1883 and measures 120.5 cm by 102.5 cm. It has been exhibited in the exhibition titled 1880-erne i nordisk maleri.
Overview
Created in 1892 by Richard Bergh, Portrait of the Painter Nils Kreuger is an oil painting depicting a fellow Swedish artist. The work reflects Bergh's adherence to Naturalism, with a subtle inclination towards a more subjective, mood-driven approach.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Nils Kreuger in a state of quiet contemplation, seated in a chair, dressed in a brown suit and black vest, with a cigarette in hand. The setting, including a wall with paintings and a tall black stove, contributes to an atmosphere of cozy intimacy, emphasizing the subject's introspective mood.
Context
Though influenced by his time in France, Bergh distanced himself from Impressionism, instead aligning with Naturalism before paving the way for a more expressive, mood-oriented style in Swedish painting.
Legacy
This portrait, through its balance of Naturalist detail and emotive introspection, showcases Bergh's influence on the evolution of Swedish art towards greater subjectivity, leaving a legacy in both his practice and later role as a museum director.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sven Richard Bergh (28 December 1858 – 29 January 1919) was a Swedish painter, art critic and museum manager.
















