Emma Ekwall (,1838–1925) - Still Life with Apples, c. 1910

Emma Ekwall (Swedish, 1838–1925)

Still Life with Apples, c. 1910

oil on canvas
signed E. Ekwall
unframed 33.5 × 46 cm (13.2 × 18.1 in)
framed 43.5 × 57 cm (17.1 × 22.4 in)

Harmony of Light, Color, and Form

Still Life with Apples is an exquisite still-life painting that captures a quiet moment of abundance and peace. On a humble wooden table lies a cluster of ripe apples, their rosy and golden skins aglow in gentle light. In the background, a bouquet of garden flowers emerges softly, adding a delicate burst of color without disturbing the scene’s tranquil balance. Emma Ekwall arranges fruit and flora with meticulous care, creating a harmonious composition that feels both rich in detail and serene in mood. The painterly qualities of light and shadow are on full display: a soft daylight caresses each apple, revealing subtle highlights on their smooth surfaces and casting delicate shadows that give them a warm, round presence. The blossoms behind the fruit are depicted with equal sensitivity – petals and leaves rendered in mild, harmonious hues that complement the apples and unite the foreground with the background. The overall effect is a balance of light, color, and form that invites the viewer to linger. In this stillness of a harvest scene, everyday objects are elevated to something poetic – apples and flowers become a quiet celebration of nature’s fleeting beauty, preserved on canvas with a timeless charm.

Emma Ekwall: A Trailblazing Woman Artist

Emma Ekwall was a pioneering figure in Swedish art during a time when female artists were few. Born in Småland in 1838, she pursued formal art training at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm. There, her talent shone so brightly that in 1871 she became the first woman ever to be awarded the Academy’s prestigious Royal Medal – an extraordinary achievement in the 19th century. Ekwall continued to refine her craft beyond Sweden, spending time in artistic hubs like Munich and Leipzig, which enriched her techniques and vision. Throughout her long career, she earned renown for her delicate and precise style. While she is especially celebrated for intimate portraits of children – capturing their innocence with tenderness – and for charming genre scenes of everyday life, Ekwall also had a special affinity for still-life subjects. She often painted flowers and fruit, infusing these compositions with the same warmth and care evident in her figure paintings. Her ability to transform simple, observed details of nature into captivating art is vividly realized in Still Life with Apples, reflecting both her technical skill and her heartfelt appreciation for natural beauty.

Ekwall’s significance as a female artist of her era cannot be overstated. She broke barriers for women in the arts, and her success paved the way for future generations of Scandinavian women artists. Today, Emma Ekwall’s works are treasured in prestigious collections and museums. Her paintings hang in Sweden’s Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and in regional art museums such as Norrköping and Kalmar, affirming her enduring legacy in the canon of Swedish art. Given the era in which she worked, a still life by a woman artist is a genuine rarity – and this adds a layer of meaning to Still Life with Apples. It is not only a beautiful painting of apples and flowers; it is also a cultural treasure, a tangible piece of history from a time when women’s contributions to art were just beginning to gain recognition. 

Still Life with Apples offers not just a glimpse of a tranquil harvest tableau, but also the opportunity to own a piece of art history. This lyrical still life, signed by Emma Ekwall’s hand, embodies the artistic mastery and pioneering spirit of one of Sweden’s noteworthy women artists. Its serene beauty, combined with its historical significance, makes it a truly special find for collectors who appreciate early 20th-century Scandinavian paintings.