American Swedish Historical Museum

The American Swedish Historical Museum presents the work of Stockholm artists Rachelle Puryear and Lars Nyberg. Puryear and Nyberg differ in methodology and style, but share a love for nature and the art of printing. Puryear creates etchings, screenprints and photogravure that originate from her impressions of nature and poetry. Nyberg’s drypoints depicting Swedish winters appear sparsely drawn, but each image erupts with detail upon closer investigation. Both artists share an interest in observation and attending to the details of life. They take a familiar section of reality, whether it’s a leaf, a building, or a tree, and present it as something new to be explored for the very first time. Visitors can use magnifying glasses to study the intricate details of the etchings and drypoints. The artists’ tools, etched plates, and paper substrates further express the diverse realms of printmaking. Come explore the scenic horizons of Sweden through the printed work of these talented Stockholm artists!

The Printscapes exhibition was organized as part of the Philagrafika 2010: Independent Projects. For information on Philagrafika 2010, and the more than 75 other independently curated projects taking place throughout the city, please visit the web site www.philagrafika2010.org. Philagrafika, the organizing body of Philagrafika 2010, is a nonprofit arts organization in Philadelphia that provides leadership for large-scale, collaborative initiatives with broad public exposure.

Click here for Press Release Printscapes
Press Release-Printscapes.pdf



*Printscapes: Impressions of Nature by Rachelle Puryear and Lars Nyberg* January 17, 2010 - May 2, 2010
The American Swedish Historical Museum presents the work of Stockholm artists Rachelle Puryear and Lars Nyberg. Puryear and Nyberg differ in methodology and style, but share a love for nature and the art of printing. Puryear creates etchings, screenprints and photogravure that originate from her impressions of nature and poetry. Nyberg’s drypoints depicting Swedish winters appear sparsely drawn, but each image erupts with detail upon closer investigation. Both artists share an interest in observation and attending to the details of life. They take a familiar section of reality, whether it’s a leaf, a building, or a tree, and present it as something new to be explored for the very first time. Visitors can use magnifying glasses to study the intricate details of the etchings and drypoints. The artists’ tools, etched plates, and paper substrates further express the diverse realms of printmaking. Come explore the scenic horizons of Sweden through the printed work of these talented Stockholm artists! The *Printscapes* exhibition was organized as part of the Philagrafika 2010: Independent Projects. For information on Philagrafika 2010, and the more than 75 other independently curated projects taking place throughout the city, please visit the web site www.philagrafika2010.org. Philagrafika, the organizing body of Philagrafika 2010, is a nonprofit arts organization in Philadelphia that provides leadership for large-scale, collaborative initiatives with broad public exposure. Click here for Press Release Printscapes Press Release-Printscapes.pdf

Also currently showing
Nudes by Anders Zorn beginning April 7 through Spring 2010 Twelve copperplate etchings by the legendary Swedish artist Anders Zorn are featured around the museum's balcony. Most of the nudes in this exhibit have not been on view since 1992. Although Zorn trained as a painter, he began producing etchings in 1882, following a visit with a Swedish etcher living in London at the time. Zorn’s early copperplates reproduced subjects from his watercolor paintings, which were almost exclusively portraits and nudes. In his lifetime Zorn traveled frequently between Europe and the United States, eventually settling in his native Mora, in the Dalarna province of Sweden. From 1900-1919, Zorn painted hundreds of portraits, and reproduced many of them as etchings. Although his subjects included American presidents, royalty, and prominent figures in society, his most popular works were of the common women he so often persuaded to model for him.
*Material Matters: Samples from the Textile Collection*
A small selection of Swedish textiles from the ASHM collection ranging from the delicate embroidery of a man's wedding shirt to the bold colors of Saami costume, traditionally worn by the indigenous people of northern Sweden. Articles traditional to Swedish provincial costumes are also featured alongside watercolor depictions of such costumes produced by Philadelphia's WPA in the 1930s.

Upcoming Exhibitions
June 2010
Past Exhibitions
To view more information about past exhibitions at ASHM click here>>