Gustaf Fjaestad

At the turn of the 20th century, Gustaf and Maja Fjaestad began to take an interest in Theosophy, an esoteric doctrine that blends elements of Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. They participated in the founding of the Theosophical Society in Arvika and engaged with the literature and lectures conveyed by some of the central figures of the doctrine, such as Helena Blavatsky and Rudolf Steiner.

In his artistic work, Gustaf Fjaestad frequently returns to the theme of water, often depicted as snow and ice, but also, as seen in the painting currently up for auction, in the tranquility of a lake. Water is a recurring symbol in Theosophy, representing the spirit of life whose force is present in every component of nature and humanity.