Unearthing Aesthetics: Natural Resources, Art and Visual Culture Around 1900

The purpose of this project is to explore how art at the turn of the 20th century valued northern Swedish nature as a culturally rooted aesthetic while simultaneously legitimizing its exploitation by industry.

By examining how nature was ascribed value both in terms of an aesthetic experience and as a natural resource, this project analyzes how exploitation came to be understood as both desirable and beautiful.

The consequences of this are still felt today.Artistic interest in Swedish nature increased dramatically at turn-of-the-century.

Nature was not merely admired for its beauty; it was regarded as a formative influence on the Swedish people, thus necessitating its protection. Through their works, artists attributed aesthetic and emotional value to this nature.

However, many of the artists who traveled to the northern parts of Sweden – especially Lapland – were also involved in industrial activities that relied on extensive exploitation of the same nature.Three case studies, led by the sole researcher over three years (75% working time), examine 1) the portrayal of nature as a resource in artistic depictions, 2) artist-industrialist collaborations, and 3) the circulation of these representations in educational publications.

Apart from a transdisciplinary workshop, the project will result in four peer-reviewed academic articles and one aimed at a wider audience, encouraging a reevaluation of entrenched notions of Swedish nature in art and visual culture.