Carl Larsson ⁽¹⁾

Carl Larsson (1853–1919) was Sweden’s beloved artist who knew how to make a cozy, picturesque home look like it belonged on the cover of a magazine—long before Instagram made that a thing. Known for his beautiful watercolor paintings, Larsson captured the warmth and charm of family life, domestic bliss, and the idyllic Swedish countryside with an unmistakable sense of light and joy. He painted his own life, his wife, Karin, and their children in their light-filled home, and his works were full of warmth, color, and a sense of intimacy that made them incredibly relatable.

While many artists were busy with grand historical themes, Larsson’s talent was in portraying the quiet, everyday moments—children playing, women reading by a window, family gatherings—all wrapped up in a world where no one looked stressed or too busy. His work helped define the Arts and Crafts movement in Sweden, with a style that was both simple and elegant, and his homey depictions made him a national treasure.