Gustaf Fjæstad

Gustaf Fjæstad studied at Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and Konstnärsförbundets skola. Bror Lindh and Per Tellander are recorded as having studied under Gustaf Fjæstad. Work by Gustaf Fjæstad is recorded in the collections of Nationalmuseum, Belvedere, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Toledo Museum of Art and Statens Museum for Kunst.

Gustaf Adolf Christensen Fjæstad was born in Jakobs parish in the Diocese of Stockholm, Sweden. He was the son of Peder Christensen Fjæstad and Kristina Andersson. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in 1891–1892 and then during 1893 at the Academy of the Arts (Konstnärsförbundets skola) operated by Richard Bergh in Stockholm. Fjæstad belonged to the Artists' Association (Konstnärsförbundet). He assisted Bruno Liljefors during his decorative work for the Biological museum in Stockholm and collaborated with Carl Larsson on the murals now at the Stockholm National Museum. In 1897, he moved to Taserud near Arvika in Värmland. He held his first solo exhibition in Stockholm in 1908. In 1910 he again exhibited in Stockholm, in 1914 at Berlin and in 1927 at London. In 1932, a large exhibition of his works from later periods was shown at Värmlands Museum. After the first decade of the 20th century, he devoted himself principally to woodcraft. His work is found in many national and international collections. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Apart from painting, Fjæstad was also an accomplished cyclist. He won the inaugural Mälaren Runt around Lake Mälaren in 1892. In 1898, he was married to artist Maja Fjæstad (1873–1961). They were the parents of four children including author Agneta Fjaestad (1901–1997). Both he and his wife were members of the Rackstad colony of artists at Arvika in Värmland, Sweden. He was buried at Arvika Cemetery.

• Illustration — Frosty Morning (1919) • Illustration — Cold winter evening (1897) • Illustration — Snow Covered Road with Fence (1930)

Gustaf Fjæstad is recorded as painter, designer, speed skater, handicrafter and graphic artist. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the headings Gustaf Fjaestad, Gustaf Edolf Fjaestad, Gustav Edolf Fjaestad, Gustav Adolf Fjaestad and Gustav Fjaestad. He married Maja Fjæstad. One child is recorded: Bo Fjæstad.

• Fjaestad, Agneta (1981) Gustaf och Maja Fjaestad: ett konstnärspar (Karlstad: NWT Media AB) • Nasgaard, Roald (1984) The Mystic North: Symbolist Landscape Painting in Northern Europe and North America, 1890-1940 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press) • Holmquist-Wall, Erika (2006) The Idea of North: The Art of Gustaf Adolf Fjaestad (1868-1946) (Saint Paul, MN: University of St. Thomas)