Bruno Liljefors: Capercaillie Display (c. 1885)

An atmospheric Swedish wildlife poster featuring Bruno Liljefors’ Capercaillie Display from around 1885. A male capercaillie performs among tall pine trunks as the first pale daylight enters the forest.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper, as close to you as possible. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Swedish wildlife painting by Bruno Liljefors
• Capercaillie courtship display at dawn
• Created around 1885
• Deep forest colours and pale morning light
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A capercaillie displaying at dawn

A male capercaillie stands among pine trunks and rocks, performing the ritual display used to attract females during the spring mating season. Its dark plumage and raised tail form a compact silhouette against the slowly brightening forest.

The bird belongs completely to its surroundings. Brown earth, pine bark and shadow almost absorb its body, while the reddish morning sky reveals the edges of its feathers. Liljefors lets the viewer discover the animal gradually, as one might during a quiet walk through the forest.

The forest as a living environment

Liljefors became known for observing wild animals closely and placing them in convincing natural habitats. He climbed trees, used camouflage and built hides that allowed him to study birds without disturbing them. Photography and drawn studies supported his finished compositions.

In Tjäderlek, the forest carries much of the painting’s atmosphere. The vertical trunks frame the displaying bird, while the fading darkness suggests the cold hour before sunrise.

“The displaying cock in the pine forest stands out against the dawn and the pale daylight.”

An early version of a recurring subject

Capercaillie displays became one of Liljefors’ recurring themes. He returned to similar birds, forest settings and compositional ideas throughout his career, sometimes developing an intimate study into a much larger painting.

This small version from around 1885 helped form the basis for the monumental Capercaillie Display completed in 1888. The later painting measures 143 × 199 cm and belongs to the Gothenburg Museum of Art.

About the dating

The painting is signed Bruno Liljefors and dated “circa 1885”. It has appeared in art historical literature under the titles Tjäderlek, Tjäderspel and Tjäderlek i gryningsljus.

One catalogue assigned the work to 1890, while its illustrated entry identified it as a painting from 1885. The visual connection to Liljefors’ larger 1888 composition supports its position among his early studies of capercaillie displays.

About Bruno Liljefors

Bruno Liljefors was born in Uppsala in 1860 and studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts before continuing his training in Düsseldorf. He also travelled through Italy and France, where he encountered new approaches to outdoor painting.

His art focused on animal behaviour, movement and camouflage. Foxes, hares, birds of prey and forest birds appear as parts of an interconnected natural environment. Read more about the artist and his working methods through Nationalmuseum.

Artwork details

Available sizes

Swedish wilderness for the home

The deep brown forest, muted green tones and pale morning sky give this poster a quiet, natural presence. Its vertical composition suits a narrow wall, a reading corner or a grouping of historic wildlife prints.

Pair it with dark or light wood and understated textiles, or explore more historic works in our collection of Swedish art.

Frequently asked questions

What does Tjäderlek mean?

The Swedish title refers to the capercaillie’s courtship display, when males perform at traditional gathering places during the breeding season.

Was the painting created in 1885 or 1886?

The work is dated “circa 1885”. The existing product URL mentions 1886, but the documented dating is approximately 1885.

Is this the large painting from Gothenburg?

No. This is the smaller early version measuring 51 × 35.5 cm. A related large composition from 1888 belongs to the Gothenburg Museum of Art.

Where is the original painting?

The original is privately owned. It has previously been exhibited at Åmells in Stockholm and Prins Eugen’s Waldemarsudde.

What paper is the poster printed on?

It is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm matte quality paper with a smooth, non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The poster is supplied without a frame, allowing you to choose one that suits the artwork and your interior.