Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Olof Arborelius
Oil Sketch From Rome Called Ruins of Ancient Rome, c. 1870-72

c.1870-72

About the Item

This beautiful oil sketch, painted en plein air, was created by Swedish artist Olof Arborelius during his stay in Italy from the fall of 1870 until January 1872. The painting features a charming depiction of ancient Roman ruins—either a city wall or an aqueduct—surrounded by lush trees under the clear Italian sky. With loose brushstrokes and a soft, atmospheric touch, the artist captures the natural light and Mediterranean ambiance, demonstrating his profound understanding of plein air painting. Arborelius was heavily influenced by French artistic trends of the time, particularly in his color sensitivity and study of light and air. His time in Italy was critical for his artistic development, marking the height of his mastery in capturing the delicate interplay of light, color, and atmosphere. Several of Arborelius’ Italian oil studies, including similar small-format plein air works, were later exhibited at various prestigious exhibitions. These include the Svenska konstnärernas förening memorial exhibition in 1910, the Svensk-Franska Konstgalleriet in Stockholm in 1931, and a memorial exhibition at the Nationalmuseum in 1943. Viggo Loos praised Arborelius' Italian studies for their "sensitivity to color" and "intense exploration of light and atmosphere," highlighting these works as a high point in the artist's career. Loos emphasized how Arborelius skillfully captured the essence of the Mediterranean landscape, using vibrant tones and delicate brushwork to convey the interplay of light and air. Moreover, Folke Holmér, the curator of Arborelius’ 1943 memorial exhibition, described his Italian sketches as some of the most painterly pieces of his early production, worthy of comparison with the best works Swedish artists had produced in Italy. Among his notable works in major collections are three of his Italian oil studies held at the Nationalmuseum: View from Rome Towards the Arch of Septimius Severus (NM 1930), The Interior of the Colosseum (NM 1931), and Italian Landscape (NM 1932). All were purchased in 1916 from the artist’s estate after his death. Oil on paper mounted on cardboard signed with monogram OA unframed 15.5 x 24 (15.5 x 24 inches) framed 24 x 33 (24 x 33 inches) Provenance: The artist's estate; Erik Thorwald Arborelius (1883-1974), the artist's son Condition: The painting has recently been restored by a professional art conservator. The colors are now significantly brighter and sharper, much like when the artist originally created the work. The frame is newly made and is included in the price.
  • Creator:
    Olof Arborelius (1842 - 1915, Swedish)
  • Creation Year:
    c.1870-72
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.45 in (24 cm)Width: 13 in (33 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The painting has recently been restored by a professional art conservator. The colors are now significantly brighter and sharper, much like when the artist originally created the work. The frame is newly made and is included in the price.
  • Gallery Location:
    Stockholm, SE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1445215083652

More From This Seller

View All
Winter Twilight – A Captivating Scene by Cornwall Artist Charles Cardale Luck
Located in Stockholm, SE
This captivating painting by Charles Cardale Luck, titled Winter Twilight, showcases the artist's remarkable ability to capture the ethereal beauty of a Nordic winter. The scene depi...
Category

1910s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer. Painted 1884
By Elias Erdtman
Located in Stockholm, SE
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:...
Category

1880s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Evening Sail – Sunset Reflections by the Swedish Coast
Located in Stockholm, SE
This charming marine painting by Swedish artist Ludvig Richarde captures a lone sailboat gliding across calm waters, bathed in the delicate light of dusk. The palette is rich in soft...
Category

Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

View of a Dutch Town by Jan van Couver (Hermanus Koekkoek Jr.) Impressionism
By Jan Van Couver
Located in Stockholm, SE
Hermanus Koekkoek the Younger was part of the famous Koekkoek artist family: grandson of Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek, nephew of the landscape painter, Barend Cornelis Koekkoek...
Category

Late 19th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Harvest Time by Hjalmar Sandberg, Swedish Artist, Oil on Canvas, Signed, 1876
Located in Stockholm, SE
Hjalmar Sandberg (1847-1888) Sweden Harvest Time, 1876 oil on canvas canvas size 14.96 x 18.11 inches (38 x 46 cm) frame 18.70 x 25.59 inches (47.5 ...
Category

1870s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Impressionistic Venice Scene by W. von Gegerfelt, c. 1880s
By Wilhelm von Gegerfelt
Located in Stockholm, SE
In this luminous canal scene, painted during his stay in Venice in the early 1880s, Wilhelm von Gegerfelt captures the vivid atmosphere and dazzling light of the city with remarkable...
Category

1880s Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

You May Also Like

By the river. Canvas, cardboard, oil, 55.5x70.5 cm
Located in Riga, LV
By the river. Canvas, cardboard, oil, 55.5x70.5 cm
Category

1970s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Cardboard, Canvas, Oil

Spring in the forest. 1978, oil on cardboard, 50x35 cm
By Valiahmetov Amir Hasnulovitch
Located in Riga, LV
Spring in the forest. 1978, oil on cardboard, 50x35 cm Landscape with trees at spring Valiahmetov Amir Hasnulovitch (1927 07 01 Kazan - 2014 Moscow) He graduated a Art Institut of M...
Category

1970s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Night city. Oil on cardboard, 44, 5x64 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Night city. Oil on cardboard, 44,5x64 cm
Category

Early 2000s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Work in the village. Oil on cardboard, 20x32 cm
By Peteris Rungis
Located in Riga, LV
Work in the village. Oil on cardboard, 20x32 cm
Category

1950s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

Fishermen by the river. Oil on cardboard, 20, 6x29, 6 cm
By Olgerts Saldavs
Located in Riga, LV
Fishermen by the river. Oil on cardboard, 20,6x29,6 cm
Category

2010s Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Cardboard

1900's Horses at the Trough
By William Lemos
Located in Soquel, CA
Charming mid century oil painting of two horses at watering trough by William M. Lemos, Santa Cruz and San Francisco artist (American, 1861-1942), circa 1900. Writing on verso is in ...
Category

Early 1900s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Cardboard, Oil

Recently Viewed

View All