How it all began

Christian Eriksson
© Rackstadmuseet

Christian Eriksson was born on the Haget farm in Taserud, Sweden. In addition to tilling the land, his father was a joiner. After studying ornamental sculptor in Stockholm, his older brother Ola went on to Hamburg and Paris. Following in Ola’s footsteps, Christian studied sculpture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in the French capital. His breakthrough came in 1889, both in the salons of Paris and at the World’s Fair.
With the assistance of his brothers and local artisans, Eriksson began building his Oppstuhage house and studio in 1894. In 1896, he and his wife Jeanne Tramcourt moved back to Taserud.

Eriksson is responsible for some of Sweden’s most beloved sculptural works: “Bågspännaren” (The Archer) at Kornhamnstorg Square, “St. George and the Dragon” in City Hall, the “Dionysus Procession” and “Commedia del Arte” bas-reliefs on the Royal Dramatic Theatre – all in Stockholm.

Other major accomplishments include “Sommardopp” (Summer Bathing) in the Municipal Gardens and “Adams skapelse” (The Creation of Adam) on the Trefaldighetskyrkan (Trinity Church) in the town of Arvika. Back at the Haget farm, Ericsson advised his brothers Ola, Elis and Karl in running the family workshop. Owing to contacts with Stockholm architects, they were in the forefront of the Swedish furniture industry during the early decades of the 20th century. To this very day, Haget, Nytomta and Oppstuhage are fertile breeding grounds for both art and fine craftsmanship.

:: Oppstuhage
:: How it all began
:: The Rackstad Colony emerges
:: Members of the Rackstad Colony
:: How to get to Rackstadmuseet