4: BIRGER SANDZEN (1871-1954) FIGURE STUDY DATED 1892

(1892)
The very early, very unusual oil on canvas is signed, inscribed and dated 1892 lower right.

With this unusual subject, the artist deftly and tastefully portrays the figure in a manner that allows primarily for his skillful depictions of light and shadow on the form to be what pleases the eye most, along with the impacts of the model's red dress draping the chair. These effects and the tools of perspective he employs in the room setting create the impact.

At the time of this painting, Birger Sandzen was studying under Anders Zorn, the celebrated Swedish master, known as a painter of nudes and portraits, and as a painter of light. Zorn's influence can be seen here in the 'Zorn palette.' the use of select colors blended to display the warm and cool skin tones of light and shadow. The pose, the tones, the use of red, the use of props for perspective, the strength of the composition, these are all Zorn hallmarks.

The current owner of this painting provides the following on its provenance: 'Given to Carl Starbäck (1863-1931), in May 1895 on the day he was appointed professor of botany at the Royal University of Uppsala. Sandzen and Starbäck may have known each other because of their mutual interest of botany. Starbäck was also doctor of philosophy at Uppsala. He was a colorful Swedish political figure, member of the parliament, and a botanist. He later worked as a politician in Stockholm. As a politician, he worked, among other things, on nature conservation issues. He also published a number of botanical works, particularly on fungi.' The inscription in Swedish verso refers to this, mentioning Starbäck, the date, and the Royal University of Uppsala.
Canvas measures 28 x 16 with a framed size of 33.5 x 21 inches.
Very good condition, noting an old repair lower center. Repair shows as an area of approximately 2 x 3 inches under UV light, just below the figure's left foot.
$8,000 - $10,000