Arne Lidqvist

About the Painting

This oil painting by Swedish artist Arne Lidqvist captures a pair of swans gliding over a serene sandy beach. The composition showcases Lidqvist's mastery in portraying wildlife in motion, with soft natural tones and an atmospheric sky that create a sense of calm and beauty. The swans are rendered with careful attention to their graceful forms and the subtle interplay of light on their white plumage.

The painting exemplifies the seascape and wildlife themes that defined Lidqvist's career, demonstrating his ability to capture both the physical accuracy of his subjects and the emotional atmosphere of their natural environments. The muted palette of sand, sky, and sea reflects the coastal landscapes of Sweden, where Lidqvist found much of his inspiration.

Signed in the lower left corner, this oil on canvas is housed in a gilt wood frame and remains in very good condition. The work comes with Swedish provenance and represents Lidqvist's mature style as a wildlife painter.

About the Artist

Arne Lidqvist (1919-1975) was a Swedish painter celebrated for his skillful depiction of birds and mammals in their natural environments. Born in 1919, Lidqvist trained in Gothenburg, where he developed his distinctive approach to wildlife painting that combined naturalistic observation with atmospheric sensitivity.

Throughout his career, Lidqvist focused primarily on Swedish wildlife and coastal landscapes, creating harmoniously balanced compositions that reflect his deep appreciation for nature. His paintings often feature birds in flight or at rest, rendered with both scientific accuracy and artistic interpretation. Swans, seabirds, and other waterfowl were recurring subjects in his work, captured in their natural habitats along Sweden's coastlines and inland waters.

Lidqvist's approach to wildlife painting was characterized by his ability to convey movement and atmosphere while maintaining careful attention to anatomical detail. His works bridge the traditions of natural history illustration and fine art landscape painting, creating images that are both scientifically informed and aesthetically compelling.

His paintings are valued for their quiet beauty and their ability to capture the essence of Swedish nature during the mid-20th century. Lidqvist's work continues to be appreciated by collectors of Scandinavian art and wildlife painting, representing an important contribution to Swedish naturalist painting traditions.

Arne Lidqvist died in 1975, leaving behind a body of work that documents the wildlife and landscapes of Sweden with sensitivity and skill.

Technical Details

Artist: Arne Lidqvist (1919-1975)
Signed: Lower left
Medium: Oil on canvas
Condition: Very good condition
Dimensions: 38 x 55 cm / 15 x 21½ in
Frame: 53 x 70 cm / 21 x 27½ in, gilt wood, very good condition
Provenance: Sweden

A serene wildlife painting by a Swedish naturalist painter trained in Gothenburg.