Portrait of Karl Starbäck
Certified by Karin Larsson in attached letter (see image). Executed in 1917. Canvas 46 x 34 cm.
Purchased directly by from the artist
Thence by descent.
Liljevalchs konsthall, Stockholm, "Minnesutställning. Carl Larsson", 6 March - 5 April, 1920, cat. no. 336
Ulwa Neergaard, "Carl Larsson, signerat med pensel och penna", 1999, mentioned p. 582 listed in the catalogue supplement under the year 1917, cat. no. 1709
In 1917, Carl and Karin Larsson's two daughters, Lisbeth and Brita, serve as physiotherapists in war-torn Hamburg. At this time, Carl writes a letter to them, mentioning the portraits he is currently working on. In the letter, he mentions the current portrait for auction, saying: "I was planning to return home the day after tomorrow [from a visit to Consul General Hagelin], but Lydia is persuading me to stay another week to paint a free portrait of Professor C. Starbäck, which I foolishly promised him."
He concludes the letter with: "Send my warm regards to Gustav [Britas' betrothed]! Now I'm going out to 'roll a hat' with Carl Laurin... Stay strong, my dear children!"