A child with blonde hair sits at a wooden table on a patio, resting their arm on it. The table has a vase with lilac flowers. Surrounding the patio, there are lush green plants and trees against a red building backdrop.
Experience / Exhibitions / Karin Larsson: Let the Hand be Seen

Karin Larsson: Let the Hand be Seen

Explore the colorful work and legacy of Karin Larsson—a trendsetting artist, designer, and style icon ahead of her time—in a special exhibition at the American Swedish Institute from Carl Larsson-gården.

Karin Bergöö Larsson (1859–1928) was a groundbreaking artist whose approach to textiles and design ushered in a new era of interior design and established the iconic Swedish style that continues to inspire contemporary artists worldwide. The floral motifs, vivid colors, and charming simplicity of her style remain heavily influential nearly a century after her death, inspiring both independent makers and major brands like IKEA.

Many of Karin’s works were forever captured in husband Carl Larsson’s iconic paintings of Swedish life. It was Karin who designed and created Lilla Hyttnäs, the Larsson’s home just outside of Falun in Sundborn, Sweden, which was so often the subject of Carl’s paintings. From the bold interiors to the modern textiles and rustic furniture, Karin’s hand can be seen across many of Carl’s works, which have become some of Sweden’s most famous paintings. The home continues to inspire and is open to the public as Carl Larsson-gården.

This exhibition presents Karin Larsson as an artist, designer, dressmaker, and style icon through her art and textiles. Visitors to ASI will have a chance to explore the impressive depth of Karin’s work, with detailed reproductions of her unique textiles, photographs and excerpts of Karin and Carl’s life, and stories and experiences offering a look at the wider Larsson family.

Karin’s work will be joined by two original paintings by Carl Larsson from ASI’s Collections, including Esbjörn som Tänkare, or Esbjörn as a Thinker, which was recently donated to ASI by Marilyn Carlson Nelson and Carlson Holdings, and which will make its first appearance at ASI as part of this exhibition. The painting offers a glimpse into the Larsson home and garden.

Karin Larsson Digital Press Kit. 

Also on view:

Christine Novotny
Explore the work of Minnesota-based handweaver, educator, and designer, Christine Novotny. Working in a similar spirit to that of Karin Larsson, Christine seeks to bring an energy to handweaving that invites people to reconsider the textiles in their life, and to evolve the practice of handweaving through contemporary handwoven goods and craft education.

Nature Story Family Gallery Experience
Don’t miss the new play-based Family Gallery exhibition designed in collaboration with Swedish artist Stina Folkebrant and local Minneapolis students.

Museum exhibit featuring historical artifacts and photographs. A mannequin displays a striped outfit, and a central panel shows a woman holding a baby. The walls are adorned with framed art and information panels, all against a teal background.
A group of people stands in a gallery, observing framed artwork displayed on teal walls. The exhibit includes various paintings and sketches. Light from large windows illuminates the space, and the visitors appear engaged and attentive.
A cozy room features a white cabinet, a modern canopy chair, and striped rugs on a wooden floor. The room is adorned with large, bright windows, white curtains, and intricate ceiling molding. A chair with a textile piece is in the corner.
People are standing and walking around in an art gallery. The gallery features various framed artworks on teal walls. In the foreground, three women are observing displays and holding brochures and bags.
A painting of a woman wearing a black dress displayed on a teal wall. Next to it is a round plaque with Swedish text about artworks by Emma Zorn and Ottilia Adelborg gifted to the Nationalmuseum.
People in a museum gallery observe an exhibit featuring historical photos and a mannequin wearing a striped outfit. The room is bright, with various visitors engaged in viewing the art and displays.
A warmly lit room in an art gallery featuring paintings on the walls, a tapestry, and a round wooden table with a vase of red, white, and blue flowers. The room has ornate moldings and wooden flooring.

Exhibition Supporters

Karin Larsson: Let the Hand Be Seen is hosted by the American Swedish Institute, with support from ASI’s members and donors. Special thanks go to Chris and Chick Lane, Pastor Rodney and Julane Anderson, Karen and Leonard Nordstrom, Jay and Jennifer Novak, Roybn Hollingshead, and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. The exhibition’s media partner is The Minnesota Star Tribune. Minnesota artist activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.   

Residence Inn Marriott at the Depot is ASI’s Hotel Partner for Artist Accommodations.

Logo with colorful vertical stripes showing nature and arts symbols, including reeds, a musical note, trees, and water. Text reads Clean Water Land & Legacy Minnesota Amendment State Arts Board in various colors.
Logo of The Minnesota Star Tribune. The text is black and bold, and a green star is placed above it.
Orange hand-drawn logo featuring a stylized circle with the letters CL inside. The words GÅRDEN SUNDBORN are written to the right in a casual, handwritten font.
The image shows the logo of Residence Inn by Marriott. The text Residence is in large black letters, and Inn along with By Marriott is in smaller grey letters to the right. The background is white.