3-028-262 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"A Peasant of Dalecarlia" by E. Lundgren, 1870. 'The province of Dalecarlia - popularly so called from its comprising the basins of the Dal and its principal head-streams, or the Falun Lan, as the district is now designated - forms one of the most interesting portions of Sweden...the Dalecarlians are distinguished by their stature, courage, frankness, and spirit of independence...The admirably-painted study of a peasant girl of this fine Scandinavian stock, which we have engraved from a drawing by the Swedish artist, Mr. Lundgren, in the Winter Exhibition of the Old Water-Colour Society, bears out in the comeliness of the type, the glow of health in the plump, ruddy cheeks, and the simple frankness of the expression, all that one has heard of the homely, unsophisticated charms to be found, despite all the rigours and privations incidental to the climate, in the happy, romantic Dalecarlian valleys. As in all primitive districts, the costumes are quaintly picturesque: and the reader will readily imagine how a figure such as this would enliven the solemn and austere grandeur of the scenery, or pleasantly soothe and solace the long and dreary winter's-night watches'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.