Anton Genberg - The Winter Pond

Anton Genberg (1862 - 1939) Sweden

The Winter Pond, 1927

oil on canvas
signed and dated A.Genberg 1927
unframed 66 x 87 cm
framed 76,5 x 97,5 cm

Provenance:
Private collection Sweden;
Bukowskis Auctions, lot 1535397 

Essay:

The Winter Pond is a captivating painting by Anton Genberg, a Swedish artist famous for his naturalist style landscapes. This particular piece, created in 1927, invites viewers into a serene winter scene marked by the stark contrast of a round, open water hole against the white expanse of snow. 

Anton Jonsson Genberg, born on June 20, 1862, in Östersund, was a painter whose works are synonymous with the majestic mountainous terrains of Sweden. His journey into art began after his secondary education when he attended the Tekniska skolan in Stockholm and received private lessons from Oscar Törnå. His formal education continued at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts under the tutelage of Per Daniel Holm, where his talent was recognized with several medals.

Genberg's career was punctuated by exhibitions not just in his homeland at the Konstnärshuset but also internationally, in cities such as Berlin, St. Louis, Buenos Aires, and Munich. The Baltic Exhibition in 1914 was a highlight, showcasing his expertise in capturing the enchanting snowy landscapes of Norrland. Dalarna and Jämtland also featured prominently in his oeuvre.

Beyond his paintings, Genberg contributed to the Swedish art community as Vice-Chairman of the Svenska konstnärernas förening and as a board member of the Sveriges allmänna konstförening. His contributions were recognized in 1922 when he was elected a member of the Royal Academy.

Genberg's personal life included a move to Nacka, where he resided in the historic Villa Wallbeck-Hansen and later, in a villa of his own design by architect Per Benson. Unfortunately, he lived there for only a few years before passing away in 1939 at the age of seventy-seven.

Today, Genberg's legacy endures through his works displayed in prestigious institutions like the Nationalmuseum and the Moderna museet.