In 1874, he began his studies at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, but was forced to discontinue them due to illness.

In 1887, he returned to Sweden, looking for a quiet place to paint, and chose Varberg, where he worked with Richard Bergh and Karl Nordstrom to establish what came to be known as the Varbergsskolan [sv]; a term coined by Prince Eugen, himself an amateur artist.

It was a reaction to the prevailing realistic style of landscape painting and may have been inspired by Bergh's attraction to the works of Paul Gauguin.

He also did illustrations, designed furniture and produced some humorous paintings called the historiska baksidor ('historic backs'), showing famous rulers from behind.

His works may be seen in the Nationalmuseum,[5] Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde,[6] the Thiel Gallery, and the Gothenburg Museum of Art.