Autumn day near Torne Trask 1909 - Helmer Osslund - Framed art Print

Born in Tuna Parish, Medelpad on 22 September 1866, Jonas Helmer Osslund (originally Åslund) was a celebrated Swedish artist who died in Stockholm on 11 July 1938. He had a penchant for capturing Lappland scenes, often using greaseproof paper as his canvas of choice.

Daniel, his father and a respected local artist, and Elis, his brother, were painters too. Even his half-sister, Frida, had a creative streak as an author. During his time in America, he anglicised his surname from Åslund to Osslund for easier pronunciation.

Post schooling, he relocated to the US to pursue engineering but found his true calling in painting at twenty. Jonas worked for Gustavsberg Porcelain Factory, who sponsored his study trip to Paris in 1890. Instead of returning, he quit his job and enrolled at the Académie Colarossi in 1894, where he was exposed to Symbolism through lessons by Paul Gauguin. He also collaborated with Jens Ferdinand Willumsen. His funds dried up by 1897, forcing him to return home. This period saw the evolution of his unique landscape painting style. He made his maiden journey to the northern hinterlands in 1898 and adopted the use of greaseless paper - an affordable and easy-to-use alternative to canvas, a technique he picked up from Gauguin. Jonas's work later inspired a budding artist, Leander Engström.