Portrait of Tage Thiel (1915 CE)

The painting Porträtt av Tage Thiel or, Portrait of Tage Thiel (1915) by Carl Larsson is a captivating depiction of a young boy, Tage Tharza Thiel, set against the elegant backdrop of Thielska Galleriet in Stockholm. Rendered with delicate tones and sharp contours, the artwork showcases Larsson’s mastery in capturing both the innocence of childhood and the refined ambiance of an art-centric household. The boy’s direct gaze and vibrant Renaissance-style attire invite viewers into a moment frozen in time.

Created in 1915, the Portrait of Tage Thiel emerged during a pivotal moment in both the artist’s career and the Thiel family’s history. Carl Larsson (1853–1919), a renowned Swedish painter and printmaker, was closely associated with Ernest Thiel, a prominent banker and art collector who commissioned several family portraits. The artwork was painted in the year of Signe Thiel’s tragic death by opium overdose, casting a subtle shadow over its bright composition. Set in Thielska Galleriet, a villa designed to house Thiel’s extensive art collection. 

A notable detail of the portrait is Tage’s attire—a blue Renaissance-style suit adorned with golden details, a gift from his godmother, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, sister of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. This distinctive costume, unusual for a child in 1915, lends the portrait a timeless quality, blending historical and modern elements. The inclusion of a black toy locomotive on the ornate table beside Tage adds a playful touch, hinting at the boy’s personality and the era’s fascination with industrial progress. Larsson’s reputation for infusing his works with a “sugary sweet” sentimentality, as noted by contemporary critics, suggests he aimed to idealize the Thiel family’s legacy amidst their personal turmoil.

The Portrait of Tage Thiel holds a significant place within Swedish art. Thielska Galleriet, where the portrait is displayed, was a hub for artists, writers, and intellectuals. The artwork captures this environment, with its light-filled setting and refined decor symbolizing the Thiels’ role as patrons of the arts. The portrait also carries a subtle melancholic undertone, painted in the wake of Signe Thiel’s death, making it a poignant record of a family at a crossroads. 

The painting is a watercolor. Dimensions are not documented in accessible sources. The composition features Tage standing by an ornately carved table, with terrace doors opening to a view of water, rendered in bright, clear colors and sharp contours typical of Larsson’s style. The aquatint’s soft tones enhance the portrait’s airy, light-filled ambiance.

Commissioned by Ernest Thiel, the Portrait of Tage Thiel has remained part of the Thielska Galleriet’s permanent collection since its creation. The villa, originally the Thiel family home, was sold to the Swedish state in 1924 following Ernest’s financial difficulties and opened as a public museum in 1925.