Uno Vallman (1913-2004) grew up as a poor boy in Dalarna and began his artistic career at Otte Sköld's painting school in 1936, before being admitted to the Stockholm Academy of Fine Arts in 1939. His breakthrough came in 1945 with an exhibition at Färg och Form in Stockholm. Vallman developed a unique and expressive style, often called "vallmanism", and became internationally known in the 1960s, when he was called "the Picasso of the North" by French art critics. His works, with recurring motifs such as roosters, floral still lifes and landscapes, have adorned churches and public buildings.

Stortorgets Konsthandel in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, under the management of Mats Peterson, played an important role in highlighting Vallman's art during the 1970s and 80s. Peterson's involvement helped Vallman reach a wider audience and established him as a significant figure in the Swedish art scene.