Rum from Eigg, Inner Hebrides 

Albert Julius Olsson captured this scene of Rum from Eigg in the Inner Hebrides with oil on canvas. Born in London to a Swedish father and English mother, Olsson specialized in moonlit marine paintings, and this canvas is no exception. Painted in the early 20th century, this work reflects an ongoing interest in the sublime power of nature, coupled with the romantic aesthetics of late impressionism. The singular island of Eigg and the larger Isle of Rum have long figured in Scottish history and folklore, often connected with isolation, escape, and personal vision. The dramatic lighting and painterly brushstrokes used to depict the landscape here create a sense of quiet awe. The small sailing vessel in the distance perhaps alludes to the rich history of trade and transport in this region of Scotland. Understanding the artistic and social history of the area where Olsson painted, and the conditions in which he came to do so, provides insights into the painting’s complex layers of meaning.