Pink Sails

At the beginning of the 20th century, Sweden is transformed from an agricultural society to an industrialised nation. Social reforms and optimism about the future are mixed with preparedness and fear of world war. Based on Moderna Museet’s collection, “Pink Sails” looks at art from 1900 to the 1940s. A period when major social changes, events and also influences from big cities such as Paris and Berlin make a clear impression on art.

During this period, many Swedish artists began to search for new expressions that could describe and reflect modern society. Others did the opposite, turning their gaze away from the outside world and towards motifs that reflect a longing for a bygone era. This is evident, for example, in the depictions of landscapes where the new industries emerge and in motifs from the rapidly growing cities and their suburbs. But also in intimate depictions of everyday life and the portrayal of emotions.

“Pink Sails – Swedish Modernism in the Moderna Museet collection” brings together around 100 works by artists such as Anna Casparsson, Siri Derkert, Sven X:et Erixson, Isaac Grünewald, Sigrid Hjertén, Bror Hjorth, Hilding Linnqvist, Vera Nilsson, Ragnar Sandberg and many others.

The exhibition title is borrowed from Ragnar Sandberg’s twilight landscape “Pink Sails” from 1934.