Who painted Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson)?

Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson) was painted by Karl Jansson in 1870.

Where can I see Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson)?

Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson) is held by Finnish National Gallery.

Artwork

Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson)

Merimiespoika II (Filip Mattsson) is an unspecified painting by Karl Jansson. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.

About this work

Overview

The figure occupies the foreground against a deep, shadowed backdrop, allowing the bright clothing and illuminated face to dominate the composition.

Created around 1870 by Swedish painter Karl Emanuel Jansson, this oil work portrays a solitary youth dressed in a vivid red coat and a dark hat. The figure occupies the foreground against a deep, shadowed backdrop, allowing the bright clothing and illuminated face to dominate the composition. The painting’s title, Merimiespoika II, references the subject as a sailor’s boy, suggesting a narrative link to maritime life.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a teenage boy, likely a seafaring apprentice, rendered in a red coat with a high, turned‑up collar and a black hat adorned with a red feather or flower and a striped band. His gaze is directed away from the viewer, hinting at contemplation or anticipation, while the subdued surroundings emphasize his isolation and the personal resolve associated with youthful duty at sea.

Technique & Style

Jansson employs a pronounced chiaroscuro scheme, contrasting a sharply lit facial area with enveloping darkness that recedes into the background. Thick, impasto brushwork is evident on the red coat, giving it a tactile quality, whereas smoother handling defines the boy’s features. The painter’s manipulation of light and texture creates a three‑dimensional presence, reinforcing the figure’s prominence within the limited pictorial space.

History & Provenance

The work dates to the late nineteenth century, a period when Swedish genre painting often focused on everyday individuals and regional identities. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the piece has been catalogued under the title Merimiespoika II and attributed to Jansson in several museum inventories, confirming its place within his broader oeuvre of maritime‑themed subjects.

Context

During the 1870s, Swedish art was increasingly influenced by realism and the study of light, trends reflected in Jansson’s treatment of the sailor’s boy. The emphasis on a solitary figure against a dark background aligns with contemporary European interests in psychological depth and the romanticized portrayal of laborers, particularly those connected to the nation’s seafaring heritage.