As It Was Before

As It Was Before by Sven Axel Hallbäck available at American Swedish Institute.

As It Was Before

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This book tells the stories of Swedish immigration to America inspired by Herman Rosell's beloved figure carvings and includes an appendix of the complete collection of Rosell carvings owned by ASI.

ASI has developed a large collection of figure carvings that exemplify the rich tradition of the Scandinavian flat plane style of woodcarving.  Rosell is part of that collection.  He was a self-taught artist  whose delicately executed figures depict his memories of peasant life in a region from which many emigrated to the United States because of harsh conditions in Sweden.  

"I have been enjoying it immensely, page by page — what a gem. The photos of the carvings are excellent and as I read our stories in wood rather than only words, the lives of those who have gone before us come to life in full color, and we can recognize ourselves in new forms and ways. The lives of all of us are elevated when viewed within the binding of this beautiful book. It gives my life of carving a rich and deeper meaning". ~ Harley Refsal (woodcarving artist, author and teacher).

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