The artwork titled “My friends, the Carpenter and the Painter” was created by the artist Carl Larsson in 1909 in Sweden. This watercolor painting on paper is part of the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and belongs to the genre painting category, which illustrates scenes from everyday life.
The painting showcases two men working within an interior setting, presumably within a home. On the left side of the composition, one man stands on red step ladders, appearing to be a carpenter focusing on his task. He is dressed in dark clothing with a vest and is positioned adjacent to a decorated stove or fireplace with colorful tilework. On the right, another man, presumably the painter, is using a brush on a mirror frame, wearing white work clothes that include an apron and a cap, suggesting his profession. He is turned toward the carpenter, and his posture suggests communication between the two. Various tools and supplies, such as paint cans, buckets, and a broom, are scattered across the floor, indicating an active workspace. The artwork encapsulates a moment of casual yet concentrated labor, with attention to detail in both the characters’ expressions and the surrounding interior elements, resonant with the Art Nouveau style’s focus on design and decoration.
