Carl Larsson

Happy Birthday Carl Larsson!! Born in 1853, this Swedish artist was an illustrator. He had an unhappy childhood, spent much of it crammed into one room with his Mother and brother, and 2 other families, after they were thrown out of their home. A teacher persuaded him to apply to the Royal Academy of Arts, and he was accepted at age 13. He became an illustrator for books, newspapers and various publications. He met and married artist Karin Bergoo, after which they had a family of their own, eight children! His family became one of Larsson's favorite subjects, rendered primarily in watercolor, although he painted several murals and frescoes for various commissions. Karin's father gave them a small house and together they decorated it with art and furniture in their taste. This became a famous artist house and led to a Swedish interior design style still popular today. The house is open to the public. The watercolor below called Christmas Morning shows 5 of his happy children on the most exciting morning of the year!