Self-Portrait (In the new studio)

Carl Larsson and his wife Karin's home in Sundborn, Dalarna, is considered one of the most famous artists' homes in Scandinavia. The home was undergoing constant changes and extensions. The last extension was made in 1912 when a new studio for the artist was created. That same year Carl Larsson portrayed himself in the new studio, sitting in the so called grandfather chair. He has distinguished himself in work. In front of him on the table, he has a sculpture of a nude woman made by fellow artist Anders Zorn. On the table is a tablecloth that his wife Karin Larsson stitched and there are also paint brushes, a book and a sword. The brushes are the painter's attributes, and perhaps the female sculpture symbolizes the artist's muse. The book could be read as the literary inspiration and the sword associated with the academic tradition of pomp and ceremonies. At the same time the portrait is of the artist in his home environment.