Brucebo Artist Home, Visby

Brucebo is a historically significant artist home located in the Väskinde parish. It was the residence of the artist couple Carolina Benedicks-Bruce and William Blair Bruce, and it played a crucial role in inspiring and nurturing their artistic talents during the turn of the century.

In 1899, Carolina and William purchased parts of the properties Stora Bläsnungs and Lilla Hästnäs, which included an older house called Emilsro. They decided to expand this existing house with a new addition that embodied the spirit of national romanticism and reflected the aesthetics of the turn of the century. The couple's vision was to blur the boundaries between the interior and the outside surroundings, creating a space that would stimulate their creativity and provide them with inspiration for their artworks.

The couple spent considerable time and effort working at Brucebo, resulting in the creation of numerous paintings and sculptures that can still be admired to this day. It became a haven for their artistic endeavors, offering a serene environment surrounded by the natural beauty of the nearby Brucebo nature reserve.

The construction and expansion of Brucebo continued throughout the early 1900s, with William making drawings and plans for significant renovations, including a barn. However, tragedy struck in 1906 when William passed away suddenly due to a heart attack during a dinner in Stockholm. Despite his untimely death, the work on the property continued, but some details, particularly in the large studio, remained unfinished.

Carolina remained at Brucebo for the rest of her life, dedicating herself to preserving the legacy of her late husband and the artistic sanctuary they had created together. In her will, Carolina established the Brucebostiftelsen, ensuring that Brucebo would be preserved as an artist's home for future generations. She also stipulated that scholarships should be awarded to promising young Swedish and Canadian artists each year, a tradition that has been faithfully upheld since 1937.