The Swedish Hand of Per Persson Per Persson remains a specific, localized figure in the history of Swedish painting. His presence in the art historical record is defined by a singular, substantial work held by the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm. He lived through the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a period of significant transition in European art, yet his legacy is anchored to a very specific visual narrative. To look at his work is to see a direct engagement with biblical themes through a Swedish lens. His output is not characterized by a vast body of work or a wide-ranging sty…