Per Fischer was born in Otterstad, Skaraborg County, in 1877. After studying in Norway and Germany, he undertook study trips to Italy in 1899-1900, Sicily in 1905-06, and France in 1913. His debut exhibition was held at Valand in Gothenburg in 1902. As a member of the artists' association "De frie," he participated in several group exhibitions, including in Malmö and Copenhagen in 1903, Stettin in 1904, Riga in 1910, and Düsseldorf in 1912.

In his work, Per Fischer followed the artistic currents of his time. From the mood-laden national romanticism of the turn of the century in the early years of the 1900s, he transitioned to works characterised by early modernism. He painted interiors, landscapes, often with figures, as well as portraits. His colour palette could be peculiarly blue-grey or, as in the painting in this auction, muted and atmospheric. With Japanese art as a source of inspiration, he also produced graphic prints. Another area that fascinated him was interior design and decoration. From 1918, Per Fischer was employed as an interior architect at Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) in Stockholm.

Per Fischer is represented in the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.