Story: Painting

Edward Friström, 'Motutapu'

Edward Friström, 'Motutapu'

Swedish artist Edward Friström's painting of Motutapu in the Hauraki Gulf was made about 1908, when he did much travelling and painting around New Zealand. As seen here, his landscape paintings avoided sublime mountain scenes and he was one of the first painters in New Zealand to portray the beach. Friström usually worked outside, but would often rework the subject in oils in the studio. His loose brushwork and his use of unusual colours, especially mauves and peacock blues, demonstrate similarities with European expressionism.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki
Reference: 1969/26
Oil on canvas by Edward Friström

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Painting - New birth – the 1890s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/45877/edward-fristrom-motutapu (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 22 Oct 2014