Knute (Sven August) Heldner (Minnesota/Louisiana/Sweden, 1877-1952) large oil on canvas Louisiana bayou landscape, depicting a body of water surrounded by moss-draped live oaks, under a red setting sun. Signed lower right, "Knute Heldner". Housed in a Rococo style giltwood frame with beaded rabbet edge and openwork scroll moldings at outer edges. 33 1/2" x 42" sight, 43 1/2" x 51 1/2" framed. Early/mid 20th century. Provenance: Hill Todd estate. Biography: Knute August Heldner was born in Sweden. He lived in the village Vederslov, Vaxjo Municipality, Kronoberg County, Småland, Sweden. His early formal training was at Karlskrona Technical School and the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in Stockholm. He migrated to America around 1902 and lived in Duluth, Minnesota until 1934 and then he eventually made his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was married to Collette Pope Heldner, who was also a painter and his one time student from a school in Minnesota. He won the gold medal at the Minnesota State Fair in 1915. In 1921 he exhibited his work in the Swedish American Artist's Association in the Swedish Club in Chicago. His style was modern expressionistic, derived from his training as an artist in Sweden. He was recognized for painting of Louisiana landscapes. Knute Heldner died during 1952 in Orleans Parish, Louisiana at 77 years of age. (Adapted from AskArt). (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)

Painting is in very good condition with pliant canvas. Light splattered accretions to left side. One-half inch yellowed spot center left. Center bottom 3" x 1 1/2" area of loss with flaking and inpainting.