Who painted Painting?

Painting was painted by Johan (John) Georg Arsenius in 1840.

Where can I see Painting?

Painting is held by Postmuseum.

Artwork

Painting

Painting is a paint painting by Johan (John) Georg Arsenius. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the Postmuseum.

About this work

Overview

The work is an oil painting set within an ornate gilded frame. It portrays a Swedish postal rider astride a horse, equipped with a mail horn, a whip, and satchels of letters. A loaf of bread hangs from the horse’s neck, suggesting provisions for the rider’s journey. The piece dates from the 1840s.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a 19th‑century Swedish postman, a symbol of the nation’s expanding communication network. The inclusion of the horn and letter bags emphasizes his official duties, while the bread loaf hints at the practical necessities of long‑distance travel in a pre‑rail era, underscoring the endurance required of couriers.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a refined handling of light and shadow to model the rider and horse. The gilded frame adds a decorative, almost ceremonial quality, aligning the work with mid‑century European portraiture that often elevated everyday subjects to a dignified status.

History & Provenance

Created in the 1840s by the Swedish artist John Arsenius, the painting reflects contemporary interest in documenting national services. Its provenance traces back to private collections in Sweden before entering the museum’s holdings, where it serves as a visual record of postal history and 19th‑century Swedish visual culture.