Season 2 Episode 3:

STOCKHOLM
with EMIL OSKAR ANDERSSON

 
 

One day, when Emil Oskar Andersson visited the National Museum in Stockholm, he realised that art had disappeared from his life. His career as a football journalist had gone well, but how often did he look at art nowadays? He thought: maybe there’s an Instagram account that posts and writes about art? That way, art could once again become part of his life, part of the everyday. But there were no Instagram accounts that posted art consistently, so maybe it was up to him to create such an account himself.

 

photo by Annika Wallman

 
 
 
 

Said and done – a painting every day, and after a year, the account began gaining more and more followers. A year later, 10,000 followers, and another year on, 100,000. Today, nine years later, Emil Oskar Andersson’s account Daily Paintings is one of the largest art history accounts on Instagram, with nearly half a million followers. In addition to the daily painting, he now travels to various museums in Europe and hosts art quizzes several times a week on his Instagram Stories.

Aside from half a year of art history studies at university, he is self-taught by exposing himself to art a little bit every day for nine years. And that’s how he wants to take his followers on a journey through art history – not through long history lessons, but by seeing and thinking about art every day.

 

photo by Simon Bohm



 

He now lives in the countryside with his family and works as a culture writer for a Swedish daily newspaper, Östgöta Correspondenten.

photo by Habel Betiyo

 

 
 

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, is known for its unique blend of modernity and tradition, making it one of Europe's most captivating cities. Situated across 14 islands connected by over 50 bridges, it offers a scenic landscape that seamlessly combines urban life with natural beauty. Stockholm is famous for its charming old town, Gamla Stan, with its medieval alleyways, cobblestone streets, and historic architecture.

 
 
 

The city's extensive waterways, green parks, and grand royal palaces provide an inspiring backdrop for a vibrant arts scene, which has flourished over centuries and is visible in its many world-class museums and galleries.

 

One of Stockholm’s most treasured art institutions is the Nationalmuseum, located on the city’s waterfront. This historic museum houses Sweden's largest art collection, spanning from the Renaissance to modern times, and features masterpieces by both international and Swedish artists. With renovations completed in 2018, the Nationalmuseum now offers a dynamic experience, featuring everything from classical paintings and sculptures to decorative arts. The museum’s collection includes works by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Carl Larsson, showcasing Sweden’s rich artistic heritage and its connections to European art history.

 

Just a short walk away on Skeppsholmen island, the Moderna Museet is another must-visit for art enthusiasts. Moderna Museet is Stockholm’s leading museum of contemporary and modern art, housing an impressive collection that includes works by giants like Picasso, Dali, and Duchamp, as well as Scandinavian artists such as Matisse and Edvard Munch. The museum is known for its bold exhibitions and cutting-edge installations, making it a vibrant hub for contemporary art in Scandinavia. Moderna Museet also serves as an important cultural space, hosting lectures, workshops, and film screenings that engage visitors in the latest trends and dialogues in the art world.

 
 

For a more intimate setting, Stockholm’s Thielska Galleriet offers a unique experience on the city’s Djurgården island. Housed in a historic villa, the Thielska Galleriet was originally the private collection of Ernest Thiel, a prominent banker and art patron of the early 20th century. This gallery is famed for its extensive collection of Scandinavian art from the turn of the 20th century, featuring works by artists like Carl Larsson, Bruno Liljefors, and Edvard Munch. With its picturesque location overlooking the Stockholm archipelago, Thielska Galleriet provides a serene atmosphere, perfect for exploring the soul of Nordic art within a personal and historic context. Together, these three institutions showcase Stockholm’s rich and varied contributions to the arts, making it a true cultural capital in Scandinavia.


Watch the third episode: