Artists such as Carl Olof Larsson were important members of the Arts and Crafts movement and are known for their luminous, vibrant watercolors of idyllic family life. Although he worked with various mediums, including oils and watercolors, his works are most famous for his frescoes and landscapes.

Born in 1857 in Gamla stan, Stockholm, Sweden, Carl Larsson developed his artistic talent during his early years. In fact, his teacher urged him to apply to the preparatory department of the Art Academy in London. His work soon gained international recognition, and he exhibited throughout Europe and the United States. While studying at the Art Academy, he painted landscapes, portraits, and still lifes of famous figures.

While growing up in a slum, his father was a raging, angry, and often violent. He drank heavily and took his anger out on his wife and children. The family moved into a district that today is called Ostermalm. It was a cholera-ridden environment, so Carl's mother was often forced to work long hours. Her father's anger was never tempered, and she became his favorite model.