Karin Persson was a Swedish artist, art teacher, and ex-libris artist, celebrated for her mastery of graphic techniques. Born in Simlinge, Sweden, her artistic journey began early with a role as an illustrator for garden architect Edvard Glæsel in 1910. Her formal education included studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1912 to 1913, followed by training at Tekniska skolan in Stockholm in 1915 to become an art teacher. For nearly four decades, from 1918 to 1956, she dedicated herself to teaching art at Lyceum for girls, shaping the next generation of artists while simultaneously honing her own craft.
"Flower in ditch", woodcut, clubbed for 59 GBP at Stockholms Auktionsverk.
Artistic Style and Themes
Persson’s art is most distinctly recognized through her graphic works, particularly her woodcuts and wood engravings. Her style underwent a significant evolution throughout her career. While her early works utilized linocuts, she transitioned to woodcuts in the mid-1920s before finally adopting wood engraving in the late 1930s. This latter medium became her most renowned and is a testament to her precise and detailed technique. A recurring motif in her art was botanical subjects, which she rendered with great care and artistic sensitivity. Her ability to translate the intricate details of nature into the challenging medium of wood engraving earned her widespread admiration.
Exhibitions, Recognition, and Legacy
Karin Persson's artistic career was marked by significant milestones and public recognition. Her breakthrough came in 1937 when she was elected to the Grafiska sällskapet (Graphic Society), a testament to her growing reputation within the graphic arts community. Her first major solo exhibition took place at Svaneholms slott in Skåne in 1939. However, her definitive artistic breakthrough occurred in 1951, when she was featured in the "Nutida svensk grafik" (Contemporary Swedish Graphics) exhibition at the prestigious Nationalmuseum in Stockholm. This exhibition confirmed her status as a leading figure in contemporary Swedish graphic art and cemented her legacy as an artist of remarkable skill and vision.