Bruno Liljefors (1860-1939) - Spring Landscape with Fence, Uppland

Bruno Liljefors (1860-1939) Sweden

Spring Landscape with Fence, Uppland

signed B.L
oil on wood panel "AB Wilh. Becker"
unframed: 32.1 x 42.5 cm (12 5/8 x 16 3/4 in)
framed: 41 x 51 cm (16 1/8 x 20 in)

Provenance:
Yrsa Krumlinde, born Liljefors (1909-1991), Linköping (Bruno och Signe Liljefors Daughter)

Exhibited:
Liljevalchs Konsthall, Stockholm, "Bruno Liljefors. Memorial Exhibition," September 30–October 30, 1960, cat. no. 269.
Göteborgs Konstmuseum, "Anders Zorn / Bruno Liljefors. Memorial Exhibition," November 1960–January 1961, cat. no. 166.

Essay:
This atmospheric painting by Bruno Liljefors captures a serene Uppland landscape, featuring a traditional wooden fence—a motif that recurs throughout his artistic career. Liljefors painted fences from the early 1880s to the 1930s, often inspired by photographs he took himself, such as those preserved at the Uppsala Art Museum (inv. nos. KM00898287, KM00898292). These fences, known as "gärdesgårdar" in Swedish, traditionally demarcate cultivated land from the wild and hold a significant place in Swedish history, dating back to the Viking Age. The term derives from Old Swedish gärdhis gardher, meaning "enclosed area."



Bruno Liljefors was one of Sweden's most renowned nature painters, celebrated for his innovative depictions of wildlife and landscapes. His work often emphasized the dynamic interplay between animals and their environments, departing from the idyllic tradition of his contemporaries. His art is distinguished by a unique blend of impressionistic brushstrokes and meticulous attention to natural details, particularly in his bird studies.

Liljefors’ fascination with nature was rooted in his upbringing near Uppsala. His journey as an artist began at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, though he left after three years to explore more unconventional approaches. Travels to Düsseldorf, Oberbayern, and the artist colony at Grez-sur-Loing further shaped his style, incorporating influences from plein-air painting and Japanese woodblock prints.

This painting not only reflects Liljefors’ deep connection to the Swedish landscape but also his skill in portraying the quiet harmony between human-made structures and untouched nature. His works are housed in numerous prestigious collections, including the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Göteborgs konstmuseum, Thielska Galleriet, Kalmar konstmuseum, Norrköpings konstmuseum and Uppsala konstmuseum.