Alexander Akerbladh was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, in 1886. Initially trained as an architect, he moved to England in 1900 to study at the Glasgow School of Art. He became known as an illustrator and painter of portraits and landscapes, exhibiting widely, including at the Royal Academy of Arts, Fine Art Society, and Chelsea Galleries. He moved to South Africa in 1960.
Artist Alexander (Alex) Akerbladh was born in Sundsvall, Sweden, in 1886. The son of a Swedish shipowner, he grew up in Uppsala, where he received his early education. Demonstrating a talent for drawing and design, he initially pursued architecture.He produced illustrations for the magazine Idun and briefly contributed to the prominent newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, reflecting his early integration into Swedish artistic circles.
In 1900, he moved to England to study architecture at the Glasgow School of Art. After completing his training, he practised professionally for several years before gradually turning his focus towards painting and d rawing. By 1909, he had begun working as a comic illustrator for British magazines, with his earliest known work appearing in Illustrated Chips. Over subsequent decades, he contributed illustrations and comic strips to popular publications, including Comic Cuts, Kinema Comic, Sports Fun, Larks, Jingles, Firefly, Butterfly, Crackers Annuals, and Radio Fun. In 1916, aged 30, he formally began his artistic career at St John's Wood School of Art in London under Leonard Walker, an acclaimed painter and stained-glass artist. The following year, he continued his studies in Munich, Germany, under Anton Binder, after which Akerbladh established himself permanently in London, setting up his studio at Onslow Studios, 183 King’s Road, Chelsea. He quickly integrated into London's vibrant artistic community, exhibiting widely and achieving recognition, both nationally and internationally. His paintings featured prominently in influential art periodicals, including The Studio and Colour, where critics praised his confident handling of colour and atmosphere.
Akerbladh's artistic practice was enriched by extensive travels across Europe and North Africa. He frequently visited Spain, Italy, France, Morocco, Corsica, Majorca, and his native Sweden, capturing inspiration from their landscapes, cultures, and the Mediterranean light. His works vividly depict coastal views, intimate domestic scenes, and portraits infused with warmth, as exemplified by the painting Lady Arranging Flowers (Folkestone Museum), in which a woman arranges blossoms in a softly illuminated studio. In 1929, Akerbladh held a solo exhibition at Grindley and Palmer’s Galleries in Liverpool. Critics praised his vibrant landscapes such as Calvi, Corsica and The Lagoon, Venice (Liverpool Daily Post, 23 October 1929, p. 12). The exhibition also featured sunlit English scenes, highlighting his skilful depiction of natural light. Akerbladh became especially regarded for his portraiture, receiving prestigious commissions from members of British high society and cultural figures, including the Duchess of Westminster; politician, Sir Julian Amery; and composer, Frederick Delius. These portraits, admired for their psychological depth and subtle elegance, significantly enhanced his reputation. He exhibited regularly at renowned institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts, Fine Art Society, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and Royal Society of British Artists. In 1923, Akerbladh earned international recognition as a medalist with an honourable mention at the Société des Artistes Français in Paris.
During the Second World War, Akerbladh relocated temporarily from Chelsea to East Blatchington, Seaford, Sssex, where he maintained a productive studio at his home, ‘Knotches’. His local exhibitions, particularly in Eastbourne, drew praise for their sensitive portrayal of children, including an intimate portrait of his daughter, Maja, providing insight into his private family life. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Akerbladh continued to exhibit at notable London venues, including several exhibitions at the Chelsea Gallery: Chelsea Views by Chelsea Artists (1949), Contemporary British Artists (1950), and thematic shows such as Flowers and Animals (1950). His continued fascination with the natural world, the landscapes of southern Europe and the English countryside, consistently informed his work. In 1945 he joined the prestigious Art Workers’ Guild and in 1955 he exhibited alongside his brother Ernst at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Art Institute.
In 1960, aged 73, Akerbladh moved permanently to Durban, South Africa, to be closer to his daughter. Even during his final year, he remained artistically active, showing with the Natal Society of Artists in Durban. Alexander Akerbladh died in Durban, South Africa in 1960. In the UK public domain, his works are held in the V&A, City of Westminster Archives, Royal College of Music, and Kirklees Museums and Galleries.