Ragnar Ekelund

• Ragnar Ekelund : Nôtre-Dame, 1925, 65x54, oil, canvas (A IV 2957) [© The Holders of Copyrights] (32.5 kB)

Another development in the art of the 20's was German Neue Sachlichkeit , new objectivity. Ragnar Ekelund (1892-1960) treated in his paintings the same theme that was highlighted with such enthusiasm in contemporary literature, namely the city. But Ekelund's city is a far cry from the machine aesthetics and the gay 20's of the Torch Bearers. His city is a quietly lyrical, empty, melancholy and peaceful place. For Ekelund the street was as powerful a source of inspiration as Karelia was for Gallen-Kallela. His first collection of poems, Poems of the Street , was also connected with this theme ( Nôtre-Dame 1925)

The close of a gloomy day in December.
The light fades behind the silhoutted houses,
and darkness falls - foggy, heavy and grey.
By the next house I chance upon a hazy form,
The figure of a man unknown to me. - His coat is damp.
With every step rny feet sink into the mire.
On the corner a pale street lamp flickers.
The moaning wind begins to sound like crying.

Ragnar Ekelund : Nôtre-Dame