Elias Erdtman - Sunset Over the Field

Elias Erdtman (1862-1945) Sweden

Sunset Over the Field

oil on canvas mounted on board
signed E.E-n
unframed 29.5 x 18.5 cm
framed 40 x 29.5 cm

Provenance: 
Gift to Kerstin Fries 1928

Essay:
This painting called "Sunset over the Field" by Elias Erdtman captures the serene beauty of lonely tree standing proudly in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush green meadow, bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun. Measuring just 29.5 x 18.5 cm, this work is a testament to Erdtman's skill in conveying the majestic tranquility of the natural landscape within a compact frame.

Born on October 22, 1862, in Linköping and passing away on September 20, 1945, in Stockholm, Erdtman had a rich educational background in the arts. His journey began at the Technical School in Stockholm in 1881, followed by tutelage under Oscar Törnå in 1882–1883, and training in etching with Axel Tallberg in 1886. His studies took him abroad to Düsseldorf in 1884 and 1885, Belgium in 1884, and finally to Paris and Grez-sur-Loing in 1886. It was upon his return that Erdtman devoted himself entirely to landscape painting, drawing inspiration predominantly from the Swedish countryside.

Erdtman's oeuvre includes a variety of scenes from Marks härad in Västergötland and the archipelago of Småland, showcasing his affinity for capturing the essence of Swedish rural life. In 1915, he completed a significant mural for the new secondary school in Linköping, now known as Katedralskolan, further cementing his legacy in the realm of Swedish art.

His works are held in several prestigious institutions, including Kalmar Art Museum, Norrköping's Art Museum, and the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.