Elias Erdtman

Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer. Painted 1884

1884

This beautiful oil sketch, painted en plein air, was created by Swedish artist Olof Arborelius during his stay in Italy from the fall of 1870 until January 1872. The painting features a charming depiction of ancient Roman ruins—either a city wall or an aqueduct—surrounded by lush trees under the clear Italian sky. With loose brushstrokes and a soft, atmospheric touch, the artist captures the natural light and Mediterranean ambiance, demonstrating his profound understanding of plein air painting. Arborelius was heavily influenced by French artistic trends of the time, particularly in his color sensitivity and study of light and air. His time in Italy was critical for his artistic development, marking the height of his mastery in capturing the delicate interplay of light, color, and atmosphere. Several of Arborelius’ Italian oil studies, including similar small-format plein air works, were later exhibited at various prestigious exhibitions. These include the Svenska konstnärernas förening memorial exhibition in 1910, the Svensk-Franska Konstgalleriet in Stockholm in 1931, and a memorial exhibition at the Nationalmuseum in 1943. Viggo Loos praised Arborelius' Italian studies for their "sensitivity to color" and "intense exploration of light and atmosphere," highlighting these works as a high point in the artist's career. Loos emphasized how Arborelius skillfully captured the essence of the Mediterranean landscape, using vibrant tones and delicate brushwork to convey the interplay of light and air. Moreover, Folke Holmér, the curator of Arborelius’ 1943 memorial exhibition, described his Italian sketches as some of the most painterly pieces of his early production, worthy of comparison with the best works Swedish artists had produced in Italy. Among his notable works in major collections are three of his Italian oil studies held at the Nationalmuseum: View from Rome Towards the Arch of Septimius Severus...

Justus Lundegård grew up in the Swedish village Hörby. He started his art studies at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts 1880–84 and later in Munich and Paris where he switched to an Impressionist style. In this painting, we can see his later talent for painting white light...

This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet Contemporary Art Gallery and online. "Mall, Winter Evening" by Michael Alford is a captivating orig...

"The Three Sisters" in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia by Australian Artist, Alan Robert Colquhoun Grieve (1910-1970). Art measures 21 x 17 inches Frame measures 28 x 24 inches (Original ornate period frame is commensurate with age) Vintage 1960's Born in Sydney in 1910, Alan Robert Colquhoun Grieve studied at the Julian Ashton School and the East Sydney Technical College and with Australian artist Herbert Edward Badham. Alan Grieve has notably exhibited at Royal Arts Society in Sydney and was Vice President of the Australian Arts Society. His work is held in private collections the world over, including The Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Fred & Elinor Wrobel Collection in Sydney and the Howard Hilton Collection. He has won numerous art prizes during the 20th Century. This painting was bought from Gordon Galleries in Double Bay, Sydney, New South Wales in circa 1962 by Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew KCMG, CB, CBE, DSO - Governor of Western Australia from 1963 to 1974. The Three Sisters are an unusual rock formation in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, on the north escarpment of the Jamison Valley. They are located close to the town of Katoomba and are one of the Blue Mountains' best known sites, towering above the Jamison Valley. The Legend: The Aboriginal dream-time legend has it that three sisters, 'Meehni', 'Wimlah' and 'Gunnedoo' lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. These beautiful young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the Nepean tribe, yet tribal law...