Logement prolétaire
Eugene Jansson is one of those artists from the North of Europe little known in France. Unconcerned by traditions and the influence of French painters of the turn of the century, he developed a transcription of daily reality that is always full of mystery. Proletarian Lodgings is characteristic of the work of this Swedish artist. Painted from memory "at a time when eveything is asleep... in a steady blue light..." (Henri Loyrette, 48/14, La Revue du Musée d'Orsay, number 11), this painting reflects his interest for working-class quarters of the Stockholm suburbs. The rhythmic paintbrush strokes and the rendition of light that evokes watercolour technique increase the disturbing impression the artwork gives out, while the rays of light emanating from the darkness can be interpreted as symbols of obscure human destinies.