The former Millesgården home of well-known sculptor Carl Milles will play host to a unique exhibition of Josef Frank's unknown aquarelles. During a five-year-long period, Anna Sievert and Ulrica von Schwerin Sievert, searched through Europe to find examples of his paintings and interviewed family and friends of the artist.
If you’ve ever visited a Swedish home, you will recognise the vivid flower patterns of Josef Frank (1885-1967). Frank, a respected Austrian architect and designer had to flee his homeland twice, escaping the German anti-Semitism. He joined Svenskt Tenn in 1934. Together with founder and jewelry designer Estrid Ericson, he became the godfather of Swedish Modern.
Much has been written about his work and his capturing journey, but in Josef Frank - The unknown watercolours we get an even more personal look into his life. Through a number of the newly-found aquarelles, the author Ulrica von Schwerin Sievert and photo editor Anna Sievert show why he painted, where and with whom. ''
What especially fascinated me about Frank are his relations with the women in the book,'' Ulrica tells. ‘It seems to have been a friendship based on mutual respect for the other's views. Frank strikes me as a person who really listened to what the other said.’
''That he painted watercolours - hundreds of watercolours! But also that the man behind the colourful and light-hearted products, experienced so much tragedy. Josef Frank was Jewish and lost many relatives in the Nazi death camps. The uncertainty in which he lived during World War II must have been unbearable. But it does not show at all in his production, least in the colourful aquarelles.''
So if you want to impress your Swedish friends, or you’re looking for the perfect gift for somebody who already has got it all, get a copy of this book right away!
Available from now on at svenskttenn.se and bokus.com
The exhibition at Millesgården, Sweden, is open until 2 October 2016.