Rug ‘Sun Spots’ designed by Barbro Nilsson for Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB,
Sweden, 1966.
Wool.Signed.
Tapestry technique.
Provenance: From a private Swedish collection.
The intricate woven pattern of Barbro Nilsson's rug 'Sun Spots' (Swedish: Solfläckar) from 1966 depicts the motif of sunlight – it is undoubtedly one of the textile artist's most impressive and important works. In warm yellow and ochre tones, abstract sun rays seem to emerge from a large orb at the rug's centre. Using contrasting light blue and grey streaks, Nilsson skillfully creates the impression of dazzling sunlight breaking through the sky or reflected on water.
Arguably Sweden's top textile artist, Barbro Nilsson (1899–1983) was hired to manage the renowned Märta Måås-Fjetterström weaving studio in Båstad in 1942, after the founder’s passing. She remained the head of MMF for the next 30 years. Nilsson was greatly inspired by nature, especially by the sea and the sky, finding success and worldwide recognition for her designs. Many of these are displayed at Sweden’s National Museum of Fine Arts in Stockholm.
L: 320 cm/ 10' 6"
W: 205 cm/ 6' 8 22/32"
Literature:
Lundgren, Tyra: Märta Måås-Fjetterström och väv-verkstaden i Båstad, Stockholm 1968, colour plate opposite page 80; Nationalmusei utställningskatalog 308: verkstad Måås-Fjetterström, Stockholm 1967, No. 31, plate page 13.
Liljevalchs konsthalls katalog: Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Märta flyger igen, 90 år med Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Värnamo 2009, colour plate pages 156-157.
Price: on application
