We consider a mixture that consists of a highly elastic material and a liquid dissolved in this material. Using the laws of classical thermodynamics, we state a variational principle describing the mixture equilibrium under static loading conditions. From this principle, we derive equilibrium equations and a system of constitutive relations characterizing the mixture elastic and thermodynamic properties. We state problems describing the stress-strain state of a swollen material and a statically loaded material in thermodynamic equilibrium with the liquid. We consider the case of incompressible mixture. The general theory is illustrated by examples concerned with the deformation behavior of inhomogeneously swollen cross-linked polymers and with their thermodynamics of strains and swelling in solvent media.