Ester Ellqvist-Bauer Paintings

Ester Ellqvist was a Swedish painter born on September 4, 1880, in Stockholm. She is known for her work during the late 19th century and early 20th century, a period that was significant for the development of modern art in Sweden. Ellqvist studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm, where she honed her skills in painting and developed a personal style that was influenced by the contemporary artistic currents of the time, including Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

During her studies, Ester Ellqvist met her future husband, the artist John Bauer. They married in 1906, and she often modeled for his illustrations. Ellqvist's own work was characterized by a sensitivity to color and light, and she frequently depicted landscapes, portraits, and genre scenes. Despite her talent, her artistic career was often overshadowed by that of her husband, whose illustrations for the Swedish folk tale annual 'Bland Tomtar och Troll' (Among Gnomes and Trolls) gained widespread recognition.

Ester Ellqvist's life and career were tragically cut short when she, along with her husband John and their young son Bengt, died in a shipwreck on Lake Vättern on their way to Stockholm on November 19, 1918. Despite her premature death, Ester Ellqvist left behind a body of work that contributes to the understanding of Swedish art in the early 20th century. Her paintings are held in various collections and continue to be studied and appreciated for their lyrical quality and the glimpse they provide into the era's artistic movements.