Summer Night (1899 CE)

Summer Night by Harald Sohlberg is a captivating oil painting that draws viewers into a serene yet evocative scene of a Nordic summer night. Depicting a table set for two on a veranda, with no human presence, the artwork exudes a profound sense of silence and solitude, set against a luminous nocturnal landscape. This neo-romantic masterpiece, housed at Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, invites contemplation of love, nature, and the infinite, offering a glimpse into Sohlberg’s personal and artistic world.

Created in 1899, Summer Night marks a significant moment in Harald Sohlberg’s life and career, coinciding with his engagement to Lilli Hennum. The painting was crafted in Kristiania (now Oslo), likely inspired by the view from Sohlberg’s Nordstrand flat towards the Kristianiafjord and Bærum hills. Sohlberg, trained at the Royal School of Art and Design of Christiania and under artists like Erik Werenskiold and Harriet Backer, was developing his neo-romantic style during this period, focusing on mood and atmosphere. The year 1899 also saw Sohlberg exploring other motifs, such as the Rondane mountains, which later culminated in his iconic “Winter Night in the Mountains.” The painting reflects the cultural and artistic currents of late 19th-century Norway, where romanticism emphasized emotional depth and connection to nature.

A notable anecdote tied to Summer Night is its deeply personal origin, celebrating Sohlberg’s engagement to Lilli Hennum, whom he described as embodying humor and beauty. In a 1900 letter to his benefactor Olaf Schou, Sohlberg wrote of the painting as capturing a moment “where angst does not exist, only joy.” Additionally, a preparatory sketch for the painting, created in 1899 on paperboard with oil, is preserved at Nasjonalmuseet, acquired from Lilli Sohlberg in 1936. This sketch provides insight into Sohlberg’s creative process, revealing his careful planning of the composition’s atmospheric and emotional impact.

The artwork holds a significant place in Norwegian neo-romantic art, embodying the era’s fascination with nature’s emotional and mystical qualities. The painting serves as a homage to the luminous Nordic summer nights, blending personal and cosmic themes. Its symbolism—flowers bridging the cultivated veranda and mystical landscape—suggests themes of love, connection, and new beginnings, resonating with Sohlberg’s engagement. The absence of human figures, a hallmark of Sohlberg’s work, enhances its contemplative mood, aligning with the neo-romantic emphasis on solitude and introspection. 

Summer Night is an oil on canvas painting measuring 135.5 cm x 114 cm (53.3 in x 44.9 in). Sohlberg’s use of oil allows for a layered application of color, creating a rich, atmospheric depth. The foreground features detailed elements, such as a discarded glove and hat, rendered with vibrant colors that evoke Victorian sensibilities. In contrast, the background simplifies into a vast, nocturnal landscape, with rolling hills and an infinite sky capturing the luminous quality of Nordic summer nights. The interplay of light and shadow, combined with Sohlberg’s meticulous brushwork, enhances the painting’s mystical and emotional resonance.

Since its creation in 1899, the painting has remained a treasured part of Norway’s cultural heritage. It is housed at Nasjonalmuseet in Oslo, where it is accessible to the public.