Eva Badenhorst Wall Murals

Eva Badenhorst

We are thrilled to introduce a fantastic new Swedish artist we are representing. Meet Eva Badenhorst. We have never met Eva in person but had started a correspondence with her this winter resulting in Eva sending many of her breathtaking, historically inspired canvases to our Connecticut showroom . We are so lucky! Many artists have tried to capture the essence of period Swedish wall canvases and, let us tell you, it is not easy. When we saw Eva's paintings we knew we had found a special artist. Eva has captured in her work all of the softness, delicacy and also inherent boldness that make the Swedish wall canvases in manor homes and castles so unique.

Here Eva shares a bit about her techniques and inspiration for our readers:

Eva's canvas inspired by the Papaya engraving of Georg Ehret (1708-1770)

that famously wallpapers Carl Linnaeus' home. Sublime.

"My painting mainly consists of reproducing wall decorations that were common in castles and mansions in Sweden during the 18th century. I also do my own compositions based on the different expressions of the time.

Painting flowers, bows, festoons and medallions on large wall fields is a typical Nordic genre, radiating elegance as well as country charm and was developed mainly during the reign of Gustav III (1771-1792). By stretching painted linen canvases on the walls it was easy to create modern interiors in suites, halls and even in bedrooms of old as well as new houses.

The canvases are quite large and dramatic and make a perfect

focal point for any room.

Towards the end of the 18th century the painting of wall fields reached its peak, when strong basic colours made way for paler nuances with the transparency of water colours. The shimmering shades of grey with a pearly lustre also often included turquoise, orange rose, lemon yellow, lime tree green and silver blue and were transferred to bows of leaves, thin garlands, meandering ribbons, arabesques and other refined motives. The motives were taken from the classical style that King Gustav III, after a trip to Italy in 1783-1784, became very fond of. This style had a great impact on castle interior decoration in Sweden and has since then been considered genuinely Swedish and meant a lot to fashion the modern, light Swedish interiors worldwide.

A late Gustavian inspired canvas with a Swedish mirror hanging in front of it.

A Swedish botanical canvas.

A Renaissance inspired piece. This looks almost Florentine, yes?

Eva calls this dramatic gold and black canvas "1800 Century". How gorgeous

would this look in a dining room, powder room or entrance? A luxurious home office

or dressing room? We can think of a million rooms that this would look absolutely extraordinary in.

I also paint different types of flowers, mainly inspired by historical works, such as the 17th century depictions by Dutch botanists of tulips, the bulbs of which created the tulip fever in Holland. I have also been delighted and inspired by the drawings and paintings of the flora that Carl von Linné and his disciples created and that can partly be seen at the Linné summer house outside Uppsala. My favourite styles are the classic Greek and Roman ones but the impressionists also have a large place in my heart.

Canvas inspired by Drottningholm Theater.

Many of my paintings are done on old, rough tarpaulins that were once used to cover boats or farm machinery. These tarpaulins, with their heavy structure and weather beaten surfaces, give and old and genuine expression and are perfect for the dry pigment colours that are used to mix with oil glaze. Flower motives especially, I paint on finer linen canvas.

This floral urn painted on old sail cloth is now at Eleish van Breems.

We love that Eva has left the old sail line hanging from the canvas.

Another view of Eva's gallery in her home...note the painted table canvas.

I obtained a degree in History of Art before moving to France for 15 years and have continuously painted, but also drawn with ink and charcoal. Many years ago I started painting old furniture with egg/linseed oil tempera, a fantastic technique which gives an incredibly smooth, silky surface. I have also been involved in creating well composed interiors in private homes, where I even contributed with my recently obtained skills in upholstering."

Serenity reigns in Eva's light filled gallery.

A canvas inspired by 18th c. Drottningholm "Tree of Life" wall canvases.

A Swedish country floral design.

We have this canvas now at Eleish van Breems.

Another Gustavian inspired wall canvas by Eva now at Eleish van Breems.

Eva's canvases look wonderful mounted onto the wall, as was done traditionally in Sweden, or

framed, for those who want the mobility of being able to easily change their decor.

Eva has had several exhibits in Stockholm and most recently a show in Norberg, Sweden.

Welcome Eva!

Edie & Rhonda

Eleish van Breems is now working with Eva on special commissions. Canvases similar to the ones featured in this post can be ordered in many different custom sizes. Please feel free to e-mail or call us for details and pricing of Eva's work. 860-868-1200 evbltd@gmail.com