Midsummer Dance is an 1897 oil on canvas painting by the Swedish artist Anders Zorn. There are three versions of the painting; the most well-known one is exhibited at Nationalmuseum in Stockholm. Another version, painted at the same time, is now exhibited at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. A third version, commissioned by an American collector in 1903, is in a smaller format (117.5 x 90) and in private ownership.
The painting depicts a traditional Swedish Midsummer celebration in the province of Dalarna. In the background to the right there is a maypole with a Swedish flag at the top. The dancers are all wearing folk costumes. In the House with a red gable the first morning light is reflected.
The way the movement is captured is incredible
The feeling Zorn manages to capture is surreal, it feels like you are there. Especially if you are from those parts and know what that early morning midsummer air and atmosphere is like. It’s so believable.