Tove Jansson loved the Finnish archipelago

Tove Jansson was a Finnish-Swedish author, writer, painter, honorary doctor of philosophy and a cartoonist. She loved the sea, tranquility and solitude. Being a very productive artist in her lifetime, Jansson considered herself a painter above all.

Image: Moomin Characters

Inspired by the sea

Last year, two of Tove Jansson’s paintings were sold at record prices at Helander. This April, we welcomed two paintings from the 1940’s and the 1960’s that will be auctioned in the upcoming Design Sale.

The first painting is an ethereal piece that takes us to an imaginary trip to a source of Jansson’s inspiration, Ängsmarn in Stockholm achipelago, where she spent her childhood summers. The exquisite painting exudes a calming elegance and  brings to mind the Moominvalley and the Lonely Mountains. Coincidentally, it was painted on the same year Jansson published the Comet in Moominland (Kometjakten, 1946).

Lot 115, Sale No 76732, Tove Jansson, signed 1946. Size: 59 x 72 cm. Starting bid 20000 euros. Image: Auction House Helander, Erkki Laine.

Seashells as a recurring theme

The second piece is a darker, almost moody arrangement of vegetables and a seashell. Seashells can be found in other similar Jansson’s arrangements from the same era. Jansson loved collecting seashells like one of her Moomin characters, Snorkmaiden (swe Snorkfröken, fin Niiskuneiti), near her summer house by the sea. The island of Klovharu, where she spent most of her adult life, was not only her home, but her inspiration for the Moomins and the influence of the time spent on the island can be seen in both of these works as well.

Lot 116, Sale No 67728, Tove Jansson, signed 1960. Size: 49 x 64 cm. Starting bid 10000 euros. Image: Auction House Helander, Erkki Laine.

Design Sale Helander will be held online between the 14th of April and the 22nd of April 2022. The auction will start closing on the 22nd at 6 pm (+2 GMT) in numeric order. More information here.