Lars Jonsson Museum: Life-long discovery of birds and nature, up close
By Malin Norman | Photos: Museum Lars Jonsson
A new dawn, oil on canvas, 2025.
Lars Jonsson is considered one of the world’s foremost painters of birds and nature. Working primarily in the field, Jonsson paints directly from the visual impressions he gains through his telescope. For more than 20 years, his art has been displayed at Museum Lars Jonsson at Vamlingbo Rectory – one of Gotland’s top attractions with a popular restaurant, a lush garden and a garden shop, plus a varied cultural programme and a nature centre.
Artist, writer and ornithologist Lars Jonsson is known for his work in wildlife art, with a particular focus on birds. His interest in birds has followed him since childhood – he started painting birds aged four – and impressively, the artist exhibited at the Swedish Museum of Natural History when he was only 15 years old. In the 1970s, Jonsson received international recognition for his illustrated field guides on birds, and he has published no less than 15 books under his own name.
Artist Lars Jonsson.
Regularly shown at art galleries and museums in Sweden, including Millesgården and Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde, Jonsson’s work can also be seen across Europe – recently at Johannes Larsen Museum in Kerteminde, Denmark – as well as in the USA. Last year’s highlight was the exhibition invisibilis at Liljevalchs in Stockholm, which showcased a life-long career and a large number of newly produced works.
The artist has also travelled extensively and favours the Arctic environment, where he paints polar bears and rare birds, and he has contributed to conversation projects and long promoted awareness of nature and biodiversity. In 2002, Jonsson received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of History and Philosophy at Uppsala University.
Observing the action in the field
With his knowledge and observation skills, Jonsson has undoubtedly revolutionised the world of bird painting. Known for working primarily in the field nowadays, Jonsson paints directly from the visual impressions he gains through his telescope – capturing the birds in their natural habitat, and the action as it happens. Some say that Jonsson even manages to transmit the personality, facial expression and soul of the birds.
The museum grounds also house a popular restaurant and is surrounded by a lush garden.
Jonsson’s observations, depicting the lives of birds in nature, are crucial in the process of achieving the famously realistic paintings. “When working in the field, I’m experiencing what’s happening here and now, in the moment,” he says. “Something always happens and, simply put, with my paintings and sketches, I want to convey that same feeling of being in the present. That’s the motif.”
Jonsson completes many watercolours whilst still out in the field, even some oil paintings, but also continues working on some motifs back in his large studio. With his art, Jonsson strives to awaken the desire in others to preserve nature, which he himself already experienced as a young field biologist.
Permanent exhibition in Vamlingbo
Born in Stockholm in 1952, Jonsson has lived in Hamra, southern Gotland, for some 50 years. Here, where he visited during childhood summers and fell in love with the island, he draws inspiration from the natural beaches and the rich birdlife in the open landscapes.
Clearly, Jonsson’s heart is still in southern Gotland. This is also where in 2004 he opened Museum Lars Jonsson at Vamlingbo Rectory, which functions as his own permanent exhibition space. The display of sketches and paintings changes regularly and often reflects the season and the artist’s current projects and travels.
In the museum, visitors can see oil paintings, watercolours and sketches from Jonsson’s own collections. “It’s fantastic to have a permanent exhibition so close to where I live,” reflects Jonsson. “Many of my motifs are from Gotland. Also, I can exhibit works directly at the museum, even the same day as something is finished.”
Evening hiker, Morkulla, watercolour, 2008.
Top destination for culture and nature
Previously owned by the Swedish Church, Vamlingbo Rectory is one of the best preserved rectory environments in Gotland. The rectory itself was completed in 1779, and the grand construction testifies to the parish’s former importance. The church, which was built in the 13th century, once had the highest church tower in Gotland, but it burned down in 1843.
Over the years, various development projects have been carried out and since 2015, the rectory and the garden belong to Lars Jonsson’s estate. In addition to the display of Jonsson’s work, Vamlingbo Rectory also houses a popular restaurant and boutique, and is surrounded by a lush garden. In fact, this is one of Gotland’s top tourist attractions – ideal for a day excursion.
Located at the rectory, Vamlingbo Kulturscen also offers a programme with music, theatre and lectures, and Vamlingbo Chamber Music Festival takes place every year at the church. At Naturum Gotland, run by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County Administrative Board on Gotland, visitors can see an exhibition about Gotland’s nature and geology, for some true Jonsson inspiration.
Living with the wind, oil on canvas, 2007.
Web: larsjonsson.se/museum
Instagram: @larsjonssonbirdart
Museum Lars Jonsson, Vamlingbo, Gotland
Open 2 April – 4 October 2026
Daily during peak season. Check the website for more details.
Where else to see Lars Jonsson’s work in 2026:
28 March – 17 May 2026
Strandlinjer
Pumphusets konsthall, Borstahusens konstförening
6 June – 7 September 2026
Skisser och målningar
Ljungbergsmuséet, Ljungby
29 August – 1 November 2026
Ögonblick vid stranden
Falsterbo Konsthall, Falsterbo
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