Untitled (Seascape)

Carl August Heliodor Hammarstrom

America/Sweden (1866-1954) 

1910

Oil on canvas, signed

60 x 48 in.

A striking example of early 20th-century Symbolism, this painting by Hammarstrom features fantastical imagery and expressive brushwork. Likely influenced by Symbolist artists such as Albert Pinkham Ryder, the scene’s dreamlike quality and mythical figures make it a highlight of this collection. It was donated in 2024 by Nathan Callahan of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Hammarström was known for his evocative seascapes and symbolist works. Born in Sweden, he emigrated to the United States on the west coast where he blended European Symbolist influences with American landscape traditions. His work, often infused with dreamlike imagery, reflects a fascination with nature, mythology, and the expressive potential of color and form.