He studied painting at Valand Academy in Gothenburg, and continued his art studies in Copenhagen, followed by Paris at Académie de la Grande Chaumière, and as a private student under painter Théophile Steinlen.

As a writer he became known first through letters on Paris to Swedish newspapers, then during and after World War I through lively and vivid depictions which, even when having the character of novels, by their type are skilled journalism.

They are collected in a series of books illustrated with Cederschiöld's quickly accomplished drawings.

He competed in the individual and team épée events at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

[3] Gunnar Cederschiöld was married to the daughter and only child of sociologist Gustaf F. Steffen.