Axel Natanael Hilleström Johnsson (1874–1959) - West Coast Sunset, c. 1920?

Axel Natanael Hilleström Johnsson (1874–1959)??

West Coast Sunset, c. 1920?

water color on paper ?
signed
executed around 1920
?image size c. 26 × 47.5 cm
?framed 37 × 59 cm
?The work is presented in a custom oak frame by Stockholms Bildhuggeri och Förgyllning.

??In this painting, the sky dominates the composition, suffused with warm rose and golden hues that fade into deeper purples and blues as evening approaches.
Delicate cloud bands stretch across the horizon, reflecting the last light of day and intensifying the sense of glowing atmosphere. Below, the calm sea mirrors the sky’s brilliance in softer tones, its surface gently rippled by the fading breeze. In the foreground, dark rocky islets and shoreline silhouettes frame the view, rendered with nuanced washes of umber and gray. Hilleström’s handling of light and color is masterful, the translucent watercolor layers convey the hazy afterglow of sunset, while bolder touches of pigment define the landscape’s forms. The overall mood is tranquil and contemplative, inviting the viewer to share in a fleeting, poetic moment of dusk.

As an artist who specialized in West Coast archipelago scenes, Hilleström often sought to portray the unique Nordic light over Sweden’s coastal landscapes.
This work exemplifies the hallmarks of his mature style: a keen observation of natural light and atmosphere combined with a refined, almost impressionistic technique. Hilleström applies transparent washes for the expansive sky and water, achieving a luminous depth of color, while using finer, opaque strokes to articulate details like the craggy edges of rocks and the distant profile of a sailing boat on the horizon. The painting thus strikes a balance between soft, diffused glazes and crisp accents, a testament to Hilleström’s command of the watercolor medium.

Comparable Sales
A closely comparable watercolor by Hilleström – depicting a nearly identical west coast sunset motif – was sold at Crafoord Auktioner (Stockholm) in March 2025 (lot 4146509). That piece achieved
5.000 USD including buyer’s fees.

Condition Report
Excellent condition with vibrant colors. Custom oak frame by Stockholms Bildhuggeri och Förgyllning. Museum glass with UV protection.