Elias Erdtman - Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer

Elias Erdtman (Sweden, 1863–1945)

Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer

oil on canvas laid on board
signed E. Erdman och daterad -84
unframed: 29 x 18.5 cm (11.4 x 7.3 inches)
framed: 38 x 28 cm (15 x 11 inches)

Exhibitions: 
Galerie Moderne, Stockholm, "Elias Erdtman," October 22 – November 5, 1942.

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection. 

Essay:
This atmospheric plein air study, likely painted during the summer of 1884 in Heyst-sur-Mer, showcases Elias Erdtman’s delicate touch as a landscape painter. Set against the backdrop of a serene Belgian coastal scene, the composition features the soft glow of the moonlight reflecting off tranquil waters, framed by the silhouette of darkened trees. This period marked Erdtman’s exploration of outdoor painting while staying in this popular seaside resort near the Dutch border.

The painting reflects the artist's dedication to capturing fleeting moments of natural beauty, a theme that would recur throughout his career. During this time, Erdtman was studying in Düsseldorf and often traveled to enrich his artistic practice. Works from his time in Heyst-sur-Mer, including three sketchbook pages now housed at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm (NM 70-73/1961), reveal his sensitivity to light and atmosphere.

This painting was exhibited at Galerie Moderne in Stockholm in 1942 as part of a broader display of Erdtman’s work. Among the highlights were several paintings from Heyst-sur-Mer, which were praised by the art historian Folke Holmér in Ord och Bild (1943). Holmér described these works as "some of the most exquisite in the exhibition," noting their poetic quality and testifying to Erdtman’s reputation as a "refined and noble landscape painter."