American, 1887 - 1951
Mattson immigrated to the United States and settled in Worcester where he worked as a mechanic. He bought his first set of paints in 1912 and followed that with study at the Worcester Museum evenings sketching from the antique in 1913. Not satisfied with Academic training, he returned to Sweden to pursue his painting career. Unsuccessful in his homeland, he returned to the United States where he settled in Chicago and worked for International Harvester and painted.
In 1916 he moved to Woodstock, NY where he studied briefly with John F. Carlson. He exhibited with the Society of Independent Artists in 1918, and then had his first one man show at Montross Gallery in 1921; after 1928 his work was handled by Rehn Gallery.
Mattson was largely a self taught artist; he was not interested in method or technique, rather the expression of his own personal vision, emotions and moods were most important to him. He painted landscapes, marine subjects and night scenes. His work is romantic, poetic and mysterious.
In 1916 he moved to Woodstock, NY where he studied briefly with John F. Carlson. He exhibited with the Society of Independent Artists in 1918, and then had his first one man show at Montross Gallery in 1921; after 1928 his work was handled by Rehn Gallery.
Mattson was largely a self taught artist; he was not interested in method or technique, rather the expression of his own personal vision, emotions and moods were most important to him. He painted landscapes, marine subjects and night scenes. His work is romantic, poetic and mysterious.
