Gustaf Fjaestad - Study of Tufts

Gustaf Fjaestad (Fjæstad) (1868-1948) Sweden

Study of Tufts

signed "G. A. Fjaestad," both recto and verso.
oil on artist's sketching board (Wilhelm Becker, Stockholm)
unframed 32.7 x 44.7 cm (12.9 x 17.6 inches)
framed 42 x 54 cm (16.5 x 21.3 inches)

Provenance:
Bukowskis, Stockholm, 4 November 1986, No. 47, under the title "Tuvor i ett kärr" 

Authenticated Documentation:
On the reverse, an inscription recounts that the work was shown to Fjaestad himself in June 1945 at Arvika Stadshotell. In the presence of witnesses, including caretaker Bergh and porter Gustaf Bergqvist, Fjaestad acknowledged the piece as his own, a certification provided by Bergqvist.

Condition: 
The painting is in excellent condition, having recently undergone meticulous restoration by a professional art conservator in Stockholm. It is presented in a newly crafted frame, which is included in the purchase.

Exhibited: 
Rackstadmuseet, Arvika, Sweden

Literature:
A. Fjæstad Nordmark, Fjæstads konst, 1999, under undated works, p. 377 "Tuvor vid ett skär (Tufts on a skerry)"

Essay:
This remarkable study by Gustaf Fjaestad captures the intricate textures and tonal subtleties of natural tufts in their environment. Fjaestad, best known for his evocative winter landscapes and meticulous attention to detail, showcases here his ability to infuse even modest subjects with vibrancy and depth. The play of light and shadow on the tufts conveys an intimate connection to nature, reflective of the artist’s broader oeuvre.

Comparison and Context:
The subject of "Study of Tufts" aligns with Fjaestad’s fascination with the natural world, often explored during his years in Värmland after moving there in 1897. This piece invites comparisons to a photograph of frozen tufts by Bruno Liljefors, Fjaestad’s contemporary and collaborator on the diorama in Stockholm’s Biological Museum. Their shared focus on nature's beauty forged a professional and personal friendship that influenced both artists' works.

Bruno Liljefors photograph of frozen tufts (Uppsala Konstmuseum inv. KM00898292)

While Fjaestad is celebrated for his snowy landscapes, his versatility extended to furniture design, ceramics, and textile patterns, as demonstrated by the woven tapestries created with his wife, Maja, and his sisters at their Racken home studio. His works remain central to Swedish National Romanticism and are featured prominently in collections such as the Thielska Galleriet in Stockholm.

The present work, described alternatively as "Tufts in a Marsh" and "Tufts on a Skerry," likely reflects scenes from either the marshlands of Värmland or the Stockholm archipelago, regions Fjaestad frequented and depicted with profound sensitivity.

Anders Gustaf Hedenskog, Arvika, 11 September 1934. Photo taken on the occassion of the 30th anniversary of Arvika Ancient Monument Society

Interiors from A G Hedenskog’s home at Hantverksgatan, Arvika. 11 September 1934: