Frederick Trapp Friis (1865–1909) was a Swedish‑American artist known for his accomplished figure, landscape, and interior paintings. Born in Malmö, Sweden, he pursued formal art training at the Art Academy in Copenhagen before continuing his studies in Munich, Vienna, and Paris, where he was influenced by the Impressionist approach to light and color. After immigrating to the United States, Friis attended the Art Students League of New York in 1890–1891, further refining his technique and broadening his exposure to contemporary art practices.

Following his time in New York, he settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he worked as an illustrator while developing a substantial body of paintings. His work encompassed coastal scenes, intimate interiors, and expressive portraits, each reflecting a sensitivity to mood, atmosphere, and the subtleties of light. Though he did not exhibit widely in major galleries during his lifetime, Friis cultivated a distinctive style that combined European influences with the character of American life at the turn of the century.

In the final years of his life, Friis lived and painted in Italy and Paris, absorbing European art traditions while continuing to refine his use of color and composition. His works reveal a careful observation of daily life, a lyrical approach to landscapes, and an understated emotional depth in his figurative work. He died in Boston in 1909, leaving behind a legacy of paintings that continue to offer insight into the crosscurrents of European and American art during his era.