Johan Axel Gustaf Acke (1859–1924) was a Swedish painter and sculptor, whose influence extended into the realms of architecture and design. Trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, Acke was deeply involved in the National Romantic movement, which sought to blend artistic expression with national heritage. His architectural work on his own home, "Ackes Villa," in Vaxholm, is celebrated for its harmonious integration of art and functional living space, incorporating extensive murals and handcrafted details that exemplify the movement’s ethos. Additionally, his decorative arts, particularly his tapestries and frescoes, are marked by a distinctively Swedish aesthetic that emphasizes natural themes and folk elements, securing his legacy in the annals of Scandinavian design.

Oil, lined canvas, lacquered wood.
Signed 'To Sigurd Ornö 1906. A study for Östra Salt from Acke'.
Study to the reverse.

Provenance: 
Sigurd von Kock;
Rikard Lindström;
Villa Akleja, Vaxholm.

History:
The painting 'Östrasalt', or as it is actually called, 'Eistrasalt', refers to the ancient name for the Baltic Sea. The painting embodies Acke's spiritual quest and is an apotheosis of the archipelago, as well as a symbolic attitude order to humanity's over-civilised dealings with mother earth.

The men are painted standing on a rock outside Örno, Stockholm. The three people epitomise painter Rikard Lindström, composer Sigurd von Kock, and Johan Axel Gustaf Acke himself. The painting ‘Östrasalt’ was initially bought by the Gothenburg Art Museum, but was not delivered promptly since the left corner was yet to be completed. Instead of finishing the corner, Acke cut the painting in two parts, and presented each part to the models. He then painted a replica indoors, which he delivered to the museum in Gothenburg. Many years later, after Acke and Sigurd von Kock’s death, Rickard Lindström reunites the two parts. He joins the picture together, and completed the unfinished corner of the painting. Lindström then also signs his contribution.

Various

Painting 'Östrasalt'

Exhibition:
Uppsala, Konstnärsförbndet (KF) Verdandiutställning,1907.
Stockholm, Konstakademin , Minnesutställning 1925.
Stockholm, Gummesons Konsthall, retrospektiv, 1934.
Stockholm, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde: J.A.G. Acke utställning 1982.
Edinburgh, Swedish Realism and Symbolism, Patrtic Bourne Gallery, 1983.
Stockholm, J.A.G. Acke International Art and Antique Fair, 1984.
New York, The Swedish Vision, Shepherd Gallery, 1985.
Stockholm, J.A.G Acke, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde 1991.
Stockholm, Artipelag, Ingen människa är en ö, 2014.

Literature:
Alfons, Sven, Lindwall, Bo, Josephson, Ragnar, ’Svensk Konstkrönika Under 100 År’, Natur och Kultur (Stockholm) 1952, np. (illustrated)
Gösta Sandblad, Nils, ’ Bildkonsten i Norden’, Tidens konsthistoria (Sweden) 1950, p.530.
Hammargren, Henning, ’J.A.G. Acke; En Minnesskrift’, Gebers (Sweden) 1960, p.197.
Lövstrand, Lars, ’ Svensk Undervattensarkeologi’, Svenska Museer (Sweden) 1964, p.3-4.
Strömbom, Sixten, ’Nationalromantik och Radikalism- Konstnärsförbundets Historia 1891-1920’, Alberts Bonniers Förlag (Sweden) 1965, fig.120.
Lägerlog, Erland, ’J.A.G. Acke 1859-1924: En Studie Över Hans Liv och Verk’, Stockholm Universitet (Sweden) 1959, p.76.
Reutersvärd, Oskar, Eklund, Hans, ’Konsthandboken’, Forum (Sweden) 1948, p.392-393.
Magazine, ’Antik & Auktion’, no. 12, 1983, p.30.
Varnedoe, Kirk, ’Northen Light: Nordic Art at the Turn of the Century’,  Yale University Press (USA) 1987, p.121.