Elias Erdtman

Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer. Painted 1884

1884

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...

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