If you love wildlife art you’ll appreciate the wildlife paintings of Bruno Liljehors. I’ve curated 8 of his better works that stand the test of time.
In my opinion, although these work are vintage and belong in the Victorian age, they have a contemporary feel and will look great in a modern home.
Of course I’m expressing my own bias, but I would be happy hanging these on my wall.
These are free to download from Wikimedia Commons, just click the button and choose the largest file size.
Enjoy
Who Was Bruno Liljefors?
Bruno Liljefors (1860–1939) was a Swedish painter widely regarded as one of the most influential wildlife artist of his era.
He was very much a man of his era: hunting was not only a pastime but a cultural marker of the late 19th century, and Liljefors’ own enthusiasm for the sport shaped the way he saw and painted the natural world.
Rather than presenting animals as static specimens, he captured them in motion. His works are charged with the tension of survival, reflecting both the beauty and rawness of nature.
What Set Him Apart?
- A Hunter’s Eye: His firsthand experience of the chase gave him an intimate understanding of predator-prey dynamics.
- Atmospheric Realism: He painted animals as part of their environment, blending them into forests, fields, and coastlines with masterful use of light and shadow.
- Artistic Fusion: Liljefors absorbed influences from Impressionism, Art Nouveau, and Japanese composition, which gave his work a modern edge despite its Victorian roots.
- Observation from Life: He kept live animals to study their behavior, ensuring his depictions were grounded in reality.
Liljefors transformed wildlife art from stiff, scientific illustration into something far more dramatic and emotional. His canvases are not just pictures of animals, they are stories, shaped by his dual identity as both artist and hunter.
For anyone encountering his work for the first time, expect to see nature portrayed with honesty and a deep respect for the wild.
Winter Landscape With Bullfinches (1891)
Bruno Liljefors’ Winter Landscape with Bullfinches (1891) reflects his interest in Japanese art and composition. The careful placement of the birds, the use of open space, and the balanced structure show how he applied Japanese principles of harmony and simplicity to his naturalistic scenes.
Foxes (1886)
Stalking Cat (1890)
These are very different example of Bruno’s work. I’ve uploaded smaller images because the files are too large.
‘Stalking Cat‘ shows a domestic cat moving low through the snow, its body tense and focused on the hunt. The almost monochrome palette emphasizes the stark winter environment. While it may seem a bit of a cheek to include a domestic cat in a wildlife collection, but try telling that to the mice.
‘Foxes’ This painting shows two foxes resting on a sunlit bank, surrounded by tangled roots and dense vegetation. One fox lies low, while the other sits upright and alert.
The contrast between the warm tones of the animals and the cooler greens and blues of the background adds depth and focus. Liljefors’ went through many styles and here he paid attention to detail visible in the exposed roots and textured soil.
Goldfinches (1888)
‘Goldfinches’ demonstrates a fusion of East and West in its design. The dynamic realism of his brushwork captures the vitality of the birds with striking accuracy, while the overall arrangement reflects the simplicity and balance of Japanese composition.
This combination of energetic detail and restrained structure is characteristic of Liljefors’ approach, where naturalistic observation meets compositional style.
Winter Hare (1908)
‘Winter Hare’ shows a hare darting across the snow in a stark, wintry landscape. The composition, an animal captured mid‑movement against a wide, simplified background, was one of Liljefors’ favorite devices.
He returned to this style often, painting foxes and hares in similar scenes, usually running through snow, where the contrast between the animal’s motion and the stillness of the environment creates a powerful visual effect.
Eagle and Hare (1904)
‘Eagle and Hare’ captures the dramatic moment a golden eagle descends on its prey. I love how the scene seems frozen in time, and how the strong shadow beneath the bird gives the impression of the eagle hovering just above the ground.
I first encountered this image as an art card over forty years ago, without knowing the artist’s name.
The scene left a lasting impression, and only now do I realize it was Liljefors who painted it, a reminder of how powerful his wildlife compositions remain.
Eagle Owl Under Snow Covered Firs: Bruno Liljefors (1907)
‘Eagle Owl under Snow‑Covered Firs’ is a striking winter scene showing the owl hidden among heavy snow-laden branches.
When I first saw this painting, I thought it might be by Robert Bateman, perhaps the most famous living wildlife artist, because the composition and storytelling are so strong.
Liljefors often used this kind of dramatic placement to emphasize the presence of the animal within its environment, and here the balance of form and atmosphere makes the work particularly memorable.
Bullfinches (1885)
‘Bullfinches’ shows the birds set against a sparse snowy background, a common theme in his paintings. The composition relies on balance and empty space, doubtless reflecting his interest in Japanese art.
This influence is clear in the way he emphasizes simplicity and structure rather than detailed surroundings.
Free Printable Wildlife Art: Final Thoughts
All of these Bruno Liljefors paintings are available to download for free, thanks to Wikimedia Commons.
Some files are very high-resolution and suitable for printing as large-format art.
To download, visit the Wikimedia Commons page for each image and look for the Download tab, it offers multiple file sizes, including the original.
I hope you find this curated selection helpful and if you want to see my own wildlife art, you can find them here:
The Wildlife Art of Kevin Hayler
And here are some more posts that might interest you:
- 12 Wildlife Art Bestsellers (Use These Subjects to Make Money)
- 5 Unique Animal Tattoos For Men
- 8 Free Printable Wall Art Paintings: Winter Aesthetic
- Where to Find Wildlife Subjects to Draw, Paint, and Photograph
- Traveling Artist: How to Sell Your Art and Travel the World
- How to Start Drawing Wildlife and Become a Wildlife Artist
- 7 Bird Art Bestsellers: Best Wall Art Selling Guide
- 9 Farm Animal Art Bestsellers: Home Decor That Sells!
- How to Draw Realistically: 11 Realistic Drawing Tips
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