50: BIRGER SANDZEN (1871-1954) OIL ON CANVAS DATED 1921

Birger Sandzen (Kansas, 1871-1954)
Smoky River (1921)
The large, outstanding, horizontal format oil on canvas from Sandzen's important Middle Period is signed lower right front. The color palette and striking brush work demonstrate why paintings from this time frame, 1910 - 1930, are so desirable.

The artist once wrote in a letter to his brother ''My paintings are not... 'sensational' - even if the color usage is a little individual. They are simply nature studies. I adhere strictly to nature, but strive for the simplest possible means of expression.'' - Birger Sandzen to Gustaf Sandzen, 20 Mar 1912, Sandzen Archives, Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, KS.

One could argue that this handsome work actually is sensational; with its exceptionally pleasing colors, sumptuous brush strokes, contrasts of light versus shadow, and masterfully rendered passageways through the trees across the waters of the Smoky River to the warm colors of the river's far bank.

Numbered 553 in the Sandzen Memorial Gallery's card catalogue, the artist's ''art registers,'' this painting was sold from inventory on July 6, 1921, albeit on installments, as outlined below:

Page 55, 1921: July 6 Sold to the Library...''Smoky River'', 30 x 40 in.

Committee: Mrs. Majerkurth and Young and Miss Jenney .


Page 103 Feb. 22, 1922.Letter from Mrs. C. M Meyer with first payment $50. on the painting for the ... Publ. Library.


Page 210, 1925. Feb. 28. Letter from Mrs. Geo. H. Meyer, (Charlotte Martha Meyer). Payment on painting in library.
Canvas measures 30 x 40 with a framed size of 38 x 47.5 inches.
Very good original untouched condition. There are no issues of scratches, repairs, in-painting or touch-up. There are some areas of craquelure, and a line of exposed canvas in the extreme lower right corner that measures approximately 3/16 of an inch by 2 inches as shown in the ninth image. No inpainting detected under UV light examination.
Provenance: The property of a rural Kansas public library. Acquired directly from the artist.
$60,000 - $90,000