Lennart Jirlow has left a profound influence on Swedish and international art scenes. Notably, his idyllic paintings are remembered for their lush gardens and vibrant restaurant scenes.
Lennart Jirlow was born in Stockholm in 1936. His father was a civil engineer, but Lennart's grades discounted him from prestigious educational programs. At age nine, he began painting with his mother's old paints on panels bought with his weekly allowance.
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In 1952, 16-year-old Jirlow was the youngest to be accepted into Konstfack, Sweden's largest art university. Two years later, he hitchhiked through Holland, France, and Italy. While in Florence, he fell in love and began studying at the Accademia di Belle Arti.
Six years later, Jirlow had his first exhibition in Stockholm. He soon moved to Southern France and developed a new artistic style, and made a debut in Paris in 1965. There, his studio was located on Rue de la Pompe in the 16th arrondissement. His walls were decorated with exhibition posters from cities around the world and framed portraits of famous figures.
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Jirlow lived in Provence for most of his life. He painted only in daylight, believing that artificial light distorted the true colors. This was one of the reasons he stayed in France; Sweden's dark winters made it difficult for him to paint after 3pm.
Jirlow is often described as nostalgic and old-fashioned. So much so, a lady approached the artist at an exhibition in Stockholm and asked, "Is this Jirlow still alive?"
One reason for his enduring popularity is his optimistic depictions of everyday life. His subjects often include people at cafes in the picturesque backstreets of Paris. He has also produced stage designs for institutions like the Vasateatern and the Royal Dramatic Theatre, as well as portraits of famous cultural figures such as Jan Malmsjö, Karl Gerhard, and Evert Taube.
Jirlow's wide range of subjects also includes well-stocked wine cellars, bustling theaters, lush gardens, and expansive Provençal landscapes.
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Critics of Jirlow's painting and subjects seem to overlook the fact that idylls can have an element of deception. For instance, the painting of an empty restaurant guest who has fallen asleep over his last glass of red wine. The painting conveys loneliness, but also a sense of security — perhaps reflecting the solitude of being an artist.
Throughout his career, Lennart Jirlow maintained this characteristically colorful style. He was both an optimist and an activist, describing himself as a protest painter: "I believe a kind act in a painting breeds other kind acts. In this way, my paintings are a protest – against all the misery in the world."
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At Barnebys, Jirlow's color lithographs are available at auction and from dealers. In 2012, the oil painting Hotellviken, Saltsjöbaden was sold at Stockholm's Auction House for 750,000 kronor (about $114,000), setting a record for the artist.
