Painting

Swedish American Museum

2024.16.3_Front

Name/Title

Painting

Entry/Object ID

2024.16.3

Description

Framed watercolor painting of the Independent Order of Svithiod building, Verdandi Lodge, in Chicago, Illinois by H. Bloomdahl, 1968. The simple yet strategic watercolor strokes set a scene. We can see pedestrians going in and out, vehicles driving by, and the clouds rolling by in the sky.

Type of Painting

Easel

Artwork Details

Medium

Watercolor

Subject Place

City

Chicago

State/Province

Illinois

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Context

Harry Blomdahl was a Chicago artist who created watercolor paintings and prints of architecture and landscapes in Chicago, and Michigan. This watercolor painting portrays The Independent Order of Svithiod. Founded in Chicago in 1880, the Independent Order of Svithiod provided health and death benefits to its members and hosted educational and social events. Swedish-American women established the Ladies Independent Order of Svithiod in 1903 and ran it until 1916, when they were allowed to join the original Order. From 1981-2011, children could join Sverige Barnen, a Svithiod children’s performance group. Svithiod’s Verdandi Lodge #3 in Chicago still provides social activities, promotes Scandinavian culture and education, and has a scholarship fund for its members.

Acquisition

Accession

2024.16

Source or Donor

Christina Fedor

Acquisition Method

Donation

Credit Line

Gift of Verdandi Lodge #3, Independent Order of Svithiod

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Harry Bloomdahl

Role

Artist

Date made

1968

Time Period

20th Century

Lexicon

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Fraternal buildings, Fraternal organizations, Organizations, Clubs, Art, Paintings

Search Terms

Independent Order of Svithiod

Dimensions

Height

20-1/2 in

Width

26-1/2 in

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Independent Order of Svithiod

Copyright

Copyright Details

Ownership was legally transferred to the Swedish American Museum per the gift agreement. Certain works may be protected by copyright not governed by the Swedish American Museum.

Reproductions

Notes

Reproduction of the Museum's artifacts for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.