INVENTORY

Carl Johansson (1863-1944) Swedish

Landscape from Nordingrå, 1935

oil on canvas
signed and dated Carl Johansson 1935
canvas dimensions 50.5 x 65 cm
frame 65 x 80 cm

Provenance:
A Swedish private collection.

Carl Johansson, also known as "Ultramarin Johansson," was a Swedish artist born in 1863 and known for his distinctive blue-toned paintings. His work often depicted landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes, capturing the beauty and essence of Sweden's natural landscapes.

We are proud to offer one of his late works from 1935 for sale. This painting depicts a beautiful landscape from Nordingrå, a small village situated on the High coast of Sweden. The beauty of Nordingrå has captured many artists in the 19th-century, inspiring many famous painters, including Helmer Osslund with its rugged coastlines, dense forests, and crystal-clear lakes. 

The painting features a tranquil river painted in short, blue brushstrokes with a shimmering effect, capturing the reflection of the surrounding nature. In the background, we can see the blue-tinted mountains and a sky with clouds. The subtle details of the distant houses add to the serenity and peacefulness of the painting. 

Otto Lindberg (1880-1955) Swedish

Landscape from the North of Sweden

oil on canvas
singed and dated Otto Lindberg 1926
canvas 75 x 58 cm (29.52 x 22.83 inches)
frame 85 x 69 cm (33.56 x 27.16 inches)

Provenance: 
A private collection Orléans, France.

 

Otto Lindberg was a Swedish artist born in Söderhamn in 1880. Lindberg was known for his landscapes and marine paintings. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm and later traveled to Germany and Italy to continue his studies.

Lindberg's style can be described as a form of post-impressionism, with a personal touch and a focus on light and color. He often used a strong and vibrant color palette and aimed to capture the atmosphere and light of nature in his works.

This beautiful painting by Lindberg, depicting a landscape of mountains in shades of brown, red, blue, and green, with a lake in the foreground painted with short brushstrokes of blue, pink, and yellow. The painting is set under a lovely summer sky with warm, inviting light.

Louis Sparre (1863-1964) Swedish

Swedish Landscape, Likely from Gotland

oil on board
signed and dated L.Sparre 25
painted 1925

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection.

Louis Sparre (1863-1964) was a Swedish artist known for his landscapes, portraits, and watercolours. 

In 1881 Sparre moved to Paris to study at the Académie Julian. During his time in Paris, he was greatly influenced by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, and his style became looser and more expressive.

In the 1890s, Sparre moved to Stockholm, where he established himself as a successful artist. He became known for his landscapes, which often featured dramatic skies and expressive brushstrokes.

One of Sparre's captivating works that we are proud to offer is a small landscape painting, likely depicting a scene from the island of Gotland. The painting features a peaceful cow pasture with a village and a church in the background. The dramatic sky with its swirling clouds gives the painting a sense of movement and energy, while the peaceful scene of the cow pasture and village creates a sense of tranquility and calm. 

The painting was completed in 1925, showcasing Sparre's refined style that was honed through years of experience and dedication.

Sparre was a close friend of Akseli Gallen-Kallela and the two artists collaborated on several projects, including designing the Finnish Pavilion at the 1900 Paris Exposition. He also had a close relationship with Anders Zorn.

This painting is a rare and precious example of Sparre's work, and it would make an excellent addition to any art collection. Its small size makes it perfect for displaying in a variety of settings, from a cozy living room to a sophisticated office. Its beauty and expressiveness are sure to capture the hearts of all who see it.

Alfred Ekstam (1878-1935) Mangskog, Sweden

Front: Art Nouveau Landscape
Back: Winter Landscape, Tobyn, Knaggen?

reversible oak frame by Christer Björkman. 
frame dimensions 84 x 100 cm

Provenance: 
Anna och Edward Karlsson, Mangskog

Alfred Ekstam, a renowned artist from Mangskog, Sweden, is known for his exquisite landscape paintings. We are excited to present this painting by Ekstam, which is extra special because it is painted on both sides, offering two beautiful landscapes in one, with a reversible frame that can be turned over without having to take it down from the wall.

On one side, you will be mesmerized by a stunning  Art Nouveau landscape with a purple tone, featuring a mountain in the background, a lake, and trees in the foreground with shades of yellow, red, and green. On the other side, you will see a winter landscape with five red houses, likely to be Ekstam's own farm in Knaggen. The winter scene showcases sun rays shining down on the houses, with a white and green tone.

Ekstam was known for his self-criticism, he took a long time to complete his paintings and he preferred to keep his beautiful creations for himself, resulting in the creation of only around 50 landscape paintings in total.

Ekstam's artistic talent was honed during his time in Rackstadkolonin, a colony of artists who gathered in the early 1900s in Värmland, Sweden. He was trained by the famous Swedish painter Gustaf Fjaestad. Ekstam's works are known for their ability to capture the beauty of nature with incredible detail and precision.

In summary, Alfred Ekstam's painting of an Art Nouveau Landscape on one side and a winter landscape with five red houses on the other is an extraordinary piece of art that captures the beauty of nature with intricate details. With its unique double-sided feature, it is sure to be a conversation starter and a prized possession for any art lover. Don't miss out on the chance to own this stunning piece by one of Sweden's most talented Värmland painters.

HENRIC ANKARCRONA (1831-1917) SWEDEN

LANDSCAPE FROM THE ROMAN CAMPAGNA, WITH RUINS IN THE DISTANCE

oil on paper 
signed with monogram HA
25 x 30 cm
c. 1879

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection

 

HENRIC ANKARCRONA (1831-1917) SWEDEN

MOTIF FROM THE THEATRE OF MARCELLUS, 1879
MOTIV FRÅN MARCELLUSTEATERN, 1879  

oil on paper
signed with monogram och dated HA 79
19.5 x 14.5 cm
with frame 29 x 24 cm    

Provenance:  A Swedish private collection

GERDA WEGENER (1886-1940) DANISH

ROMANTIC SCENE WITH ELEGANT WOMEN

watercolor and indian inc
signed Gerda Wegener
Sheet size 34×27 cm.

Gerda Wegener was a Danish artist who gained significant recognition in the early 20th century for her exceptional artistry and unique style. She was particularly known for her stunning portraits of elegant women and her bold exploration of gender and sexuality in her art.

"Romantic scene with elegant women," which features three impeccably dressed women and two naked women - one standing in front of a sculpture and the other kneeling, perhaps in tears. This painting is a striking example of Wegener's skillful use of color and her ability to capture the emotional complexity of her subjects.

Wegeners personal life was just as fascinating as her art. She was married to the fellow artist Einar Wegener, who later underwent one of the first known gender confirmation surgeries and became Lili Elbe. Their remarkable love story has been depicted in the movie "The Danish Girl," which was released in 2015.

In the film, Wegener is portrayed as a trailblazing artist who defied societal norms and expectations in her personal life and her art. The movie is a moving tribute to her creativity, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.

If you are a fan of Gerda Wegener's work, or if you are simply looking for a stunning piece of art to add to your collection, then the "Romantic scene with elegant women" watercolor is an excellent choice. It captures Wegener's unique style and her ability to convey complex emotions through her art. It is a beautiful and timeless piece that will bring joy and inspiration to your home for years to come.

Condition Report:
The paper has turned slightly brown. Minor pin hole in lower left corner.

Daniel Saint (1778-1847) France

Portrait of a French Gentleman

large portait miniature on ivory
signed Saint
panel dimensions 27 x 21.4 cm
frame included 

Conditon:
An impressive restoration by Alan Derbyshire 2021-2023.
Still cracks between the ivory parts, there are some retouching, mostly in the background. Beautiful piece. 

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection

 

Daniel Saint was a prominent French miniaturist who lived between 1778 and 1847. Born in Paris, Saint was the son of a jeweler and initially began his career as an apprentice in his father's workshop. However, he soon discovered his passion for painting and turned his attention to miniatures, which were highly popular in 18th and 19th-century Europe.

Saint was a highly skilled artist and quickly gained a reputation for his miniature portraits, which were characterized by their delicate detail and fine brushwork. His works often featured prominent figures from French society, including members of the royal family and high-ranking officials. He also painted portraits of wealthy patrons, many of whom commissioned him to create highly personalized works.

Saint's style was highly influenced by the neoclassical movement, which emphasized clarity, simplicity, and rationality. He often used a limited color palette, focusing on soft pastels and muted tones, which helped to accentuate the delicate features of his subjects. His compositions were typically centered around the face, with little background or context to distract from the subject.

Despite his success as a miniaturist, Saint was not immune to the changing tastes of the art world. In the mid-19th century, photography began to gain popularity, and many artists who specialized in portraiture found themselves struggling to compete with the speed and accuracy of this new medium. However, Saint continued to work and develop his craft, adapting his style to the changing tastes of his clients and experimenting with new techniques and materials.

In addition to his work as a miniaturist, Saint was also a skilled draftsman and created a number of highly detailed and intricate drawings and sketches. He was also known for his use of unconventional materials, such as hair, which he would incorporate into his miniature portraits to add texture and depth.

Today, Saint's works are highly prized by collectors and are held in museums and private collections around the world. His legacy as a master of miniature portraiture lives on, and his influence can still be seen in the work of contemporary artists who specialize in this unique and challenging medium.

 

Dick Beer (b. London 1893 - d. Stockholm 1938) 

Folkliv på Korsika, I (Popular Dance at Corsica, I)

oil on canvas
signed Dick Beer
c. 1924
canvas dimensions 88 x 100 cm 

Exhibited:
The Royal Academy Stockholm 1973;
Millesgården – Dick Beer – Impressionist & Kubist, 2012

Dick Beer was born in 1893 in London as Richard Beer, the youngest of five brothers. His father, John Beer (1853-1906), was a watercolourist who was born in Stockholm and had left Sweden at the age of 17. John Beer instructed his sons in drawing and painting, among other things. A number of sketchbooks bear testimony to the boys’ talent.
Dick Beer’s parents died in 1906 and 1907. Barely 15 years old, Beer arrived in Sweden as an orphan. First he lived with relatives and finally he ended up at Reverend Laurell in Västergötland.
Dick Beer began his artistic studies at the Althin School of Painting in Stockholm in 1908 and continued at the Royal Academy of Arts in the autumn of 1910, but in September 1912 he broke off his studies and travelled to Paris. He rented a studio and enrolled at the Colarossi and Grande Chaumière academies.
In the summer of 1913, Dick Beer travelled to Pont-Aven in Bretagne in order to paint. In September the same year, he held his first solo exhibition in Stockholm which he gave the French title Exposition des tableaux de Bretagne et autour de Paris. The exhibition proved a success. Many of the paintings were executed in a light palette in a style inspired by the impressionists.
In 1914, Dick Beer undertook an extensive study trip to Italy, Tunis, Morocco and Spain, which resulted in canvases overflowing with colours and light. When the French army mobilised, he volunteered and was enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. In 1915 Dick Beer sustained severe head injuries in a grenade attack, which resulted in deafness and a nervous condition that would plague him for the rest of his life. Two of his brothers died the following year, fighting for the English army.
Dick Beer was hospitalised and convalesced at Château de Rochefort. Here he started painting again, in an impressionist style, a painting dominated by blue and green hues.
In 1918, Dick Beer married Ruth Öhrling, a dentist, and their son John was born later in the year. During this time, Beer began experimenting with cubist painting and created several large compositions, including the painting “The Arab Café”.
In the years that followed, Dick Beer was based in Paris, where he often moved house. He was instructed by André Lhote, who encouraged his students to work freely in the studio and provided them with individual critique. Beer often travelled to Bretagne or Provence. His artist friends came from all over Europe and included Amedeo Modigliani. Dick Beer exhibited fairly regularly in Paris between 1919 and 1934 and made a name for himself in French artist circles.
In the summers, Ruth regularly rented a house in the countryside, often at Lake Mälaren. She kept a large house with many models and friends and there was a lot of painting and discussions. In 1933, the couple divorced but Ruth still loved Dick and continued to support him financially for the rest of his life.
Dick Beer also exhibited in Sweden, albeit irregularly due to his failing health. In the 1920s and 1930s, Beer continued to pursue an expressionist painting with intense colours and unexpected perspectives, but eventually he veered towards more naturalistic forms, including a large number of nudes. He also painted several portraits of artists, politicians and writers.
In 1938, Dick Beer sojourned in Arles. The budding photographer Christer Strömholm became a student of Dick Beer’s and they developed an intimate friendship. In June the same year, Dick Beer died in Stockholm following complications of pneumonia.

Carl Johansson (1863-1944) Sweden

Vast Autumn Landscape With Blue Mountains, 1913

oil on canvas
signed and dated Carl Johansson 1913
canvas dimensions 40 x 60 cm
frame 51 x 71 cm

Carl Johansson (1863-1944), also known as "Ultramarin Johansson," was a highly skilled Swedish landscape painter who is known for his ability to capture the natural beauty of the Swedish countryside. Johansson studied art at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, where he honed his skills as a painter and developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

One of Johansson's greatest strengths as an artist was his ability to convey the ethereal quality of the Swedish landscape. His paintings of misty mountains and verdant valleys were characterized by their intricate detail and stunning color palette. In particular, his use of the vibrant blue pigment ultramarine earned him the nickname "Ultramarin Johansson."

Johansson's paintings of blue mountains were particularly striking, as he was able to convey the sense of scale and majesty that these towering peaks possess. His use of color was masterful, with the soft blues and grays of the mountains blending seamlessly with the greens and browns of the surrounding landscape.

Johansson's works have become highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest Swedish painters of the 20th century continues to endure. His ability to capture the natural beauty of the Swedish landscape with such precision and beauty is a testament to his skill and dedication as an artist, and his works remain some of the most beloved and treasured examples of Swedish art to this day.

Investing in a Carl Johansson painting is not only a sound financial decision, but also a way to own a piece of Swedish art history. Each painting is a testament to Johansson's skill and talent, and will bring a sense of majesty and wonder to any room or collection. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of Swedish art history.


Provenance:
A Swedish private collection

Dick Beer (b. London 1893 - d. Stockholm 1938) 

Saint Cloud, 1912

oil on board
board dimensions 40.5 x 32.5 cm
frame 51.5 x 43.5 cm 
signed Dick Beer 
painted 1912

Exhibited:
The Swedish-French Art Gallery, Memorial Exhibition, Catalog nr 5, 1942

Provenance:
A private collection, Sweden

Dick Beer (1893-1938)

Dick Beer was born in London in 1893. His father, John Beer (1853-1906), was a Swedish painter from Stockholm who had a career mainly as a watercolour painter with motifs of horses from racetracks and fox hunts from the countryside.

Barely fifteen years old, Dick Beer became an orphan and came to Sweden in 1907. Already in 1908-1909, he started at Althin's painting school in Stockholm. And later, at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1910-1912. His teachers were, among others, Gustaf Cederström, Oscar Björk and Alfred Bergström. 

At this time, Many artists went to Paris, and Dick Beer wasn't an exception; he rented a studio and took every spare time to visit academies such as Colarossi and Grande Chaumière and André Lhote. 

Dick Beer travels to Pont Aven in Brittany over the summer of 1913. In September, he went directly to Stockholm for his first solo exhibition with the French title Exposition des tableaux de Bretagne et autour de Paris; The exhibition was a big success with many visitors. 

1914-1917: First World War:

In the spring of 1914, Dick Beer undertook a longer study trip to Italy, Tunisia, Morocco and Spain.

When the French army mobilized, Dick Beer volunteered and was accepted into the French Foreign Legion. He was severely injured at Souain in September 1915, and the war injuries left him with severe deafness and nerve problems, which became increasingly noticeable over the years. During and after the war, he painted in a post-impressionistic style with a light palette, increasingly tuned in blue and green.

1918-1919

Dick Beer and Ruth Öhrling married in February, and in December, their only child, John, was born. During these years, Beer had a studio at Rådmansgatan in Stockholm. During this time, he paints several large Cubist compositions such as "In the Paddock" and "Arab Café". 
He participated in the Februarigruppen exhibition at Liljevalch's in 1919. His palette turned into a darker colour scheme dominated by green, blue, and red. 
Amedeo Modigliani made a pencil portrait of him in Paris in 1919. 
Throughout his short life, Beer spent most of his time in France and exhibited almost annually in Paris.
The Scandinavian motifs were mostly landscapes around Lake Mälaren and from the Stockholm archipelago, cityscapes, many nude studies and some portraits. 
Dick Beer practised many styles during his 30 years as an artist, from post-impressionism, cubism, late cubism, expressionism and naturalism. 

Reinhold Ljunggren (1920-2006) Sweden

Äng vid Kalmarsund, 1947

oil on masonite 
signed and dated R.Ljunggren 47
board dimensions 27 x 35 cm
frame 37.5 x 45.5 cm

Provenance: 
Stockholms Auktionsverk, lot 2509486

Karl Tirén (1869-1955) Sweden

Birch Trees Covered With Heavy Snow

oil on board
signed and dated K Tirén 1921
board dimensions 31.49 x 27.16 inches  (80 x 69 cm)
frame 35.43 x 31.49 inches (90 x 80 cm)

Provenance:
A Swedish private collection 

Karl Tirén was a multi-talented and temperamental personality, and without any real special training, he became an outstanding painter.
He studied music and art during several study trips to England, France and Germany. Karl Tirén was inspired by his older brother, Johan Tirén, whose art focused on Sami culture. Like his brother, Karl Tirén painted naturalistic mountain and Sami motifs as well as occasional portraits.
He did not like to participate in exhibitions, but at the Paris exhibition in 1900, he was represented with a diorama painting of the mountains in Lapland, which became awarded a grand prix medal at the exhibition.
This painting is a prime example of his talent in depicting the winter in the north of Sweden; We see some crooked birches covered in snow. The birch trees are usually shorter and crooked because of the hard winds from the harsh climate in the northern part of Scandinavia. An excellent painting by this artist. 

Herman Österlund (1873-1964) Sweden

Ocean View from the West Coast, 1916

oil on canvas
signed and dated Herman Österlund 1916
canvas dimensions 14.37 x 16.73 inches (36.5 x 42.5 cm)
frame 18.30 x 20.86 inches (46.5 x 53 cm)

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection

Herman Österlund was a Swedish artist best known for his beautiful depictions of the west coast of Sweden. 
He moved to Stockholm in 1896 and passed the test for entering the Royal Academy; during this time, he shared a studio with Otto Hesselbom in Stockholm, and they became good friends. 
After three years of studies, he was ready to move back to the west coast; first, he moved to Löberöd in Skåne, where he lived until 1905, but he made several trips abroad together with, among others, Karl Isakson to Italy, Paris and Spain. 
Österlund moved to Malmö in 1909 and, from 1913, rented a summer studio in Kämpinge and later in Arild. 
Our painting "Ocean View from the West Coast" is most likely from the area around Kämpinge. 
What we see is a calm ocean view, painted with a light palette, and it gives almost an abstract presence, not too much and not too little - that's one of the most challenging tasks for an artist - and he did it with such brilliance. 
 

Lennart Nyblom (1872-1947) Swedish

Scandinavian Landscape in Evening Light

oil on board
board dimensions 19.68 x 21.45 inches (50 x 54.5 cm)
frame 23.22 x 25 inches (59 x 63.5 cm)
signed N.Nyblom
1920s

Provenance: 
A Swedish private collection

Lennart Nyblom was a Swedish artist best known for painting landscapes, figure motifs and historical motifs.
Nyblom studied at Valand's painting school 1891–1892, and later at the Royal Academy of Art for Carl Larsson and Georg von Rosen 1892–1896 and in Italy and France 1896–1898.
His paintings are represented at, among others, the National Museum in Stockholm and Waldemarsudde.

Dick Beer

From Snäckgärdsbaden II 1929

watercolour
signed and dated Dick Beer 1929
inv nr 1200

Provenance: 
The Dick Beer Family

 

Dick Beer (b. London 1893 - d. Stockholm 1938) 

oil on canvas
canvas dimensions 55 x 46 cm 
frame 67 x 58
stamp signed 
painted around 1920-1922

Provenance:
Within the family Beer until today

Dick Beer (1893-1938)

Dick Beer was born in London in 1893. His father, John Beer (1853-1906), was a Swedish painter from Stockholm who had a career mainly as a watercolour painter with motifs of horses from racetracks and fox hunts from the countryside.

Barely fifteen years old, Dick Beer became an orphan and came to Sweden in 1907. Already in 1908-1909, he started at Althin's painting school in Stockholm. And later, at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1910-1912. His teachers were, among others, Gustaf Cederström, Oscar Björk and Alfred Bergström. 

At this time, Many artists went to Paris, and Dick Beer wasn't an exception; he rented a studio and took every spare time to visit academies such as Colarossi and Grande Chaumière and André Lhote. 

Dick Beer travels to Pont Aven in Brittany over the summer of 1913. In September, he went directly to Stockholm for his first solo exhibition with the French title Exposition des tableaux de Bretagne et autour de Paris; The exhibition was a big success with many visitors. 

1914-1917: First World War:

In the spring of 1914, Dick Beer undertook a longer study trip to Italy, Tunisia, Morocco and Spain.

When the French army mobilized, Dick Beer volunteered and was accepted into the French Foreign Legion. He was severely injured at Souain in September 1915, and the war injuries left him with severe deafness and nerve problems, which became increasingly noticeable over the years. During and after the war, he painted in a post-impressionistic style with a light palette, increasingly tuned in blue and green.

1918-1919

Dick Beer and Ruth Öhrling married in February, and in December, their only child, John, was born. During these years, Beer had a studio at Rådmansgatan in Stockholm. During this time, he paints several large Cubist compositions such as "In the Paddock" and "Arab Café". 

He participated in the Februarigruppen exhibition at Liljevalch's in 1919. His palette turned into a darker colour scheme dominated by green, blue, and red. 

Amedeo Modigliani made a pencil portrait of him in Paris in 1919. 

Throughout his short life, Beer spent most of his time in France and exhibited almost annually in Paris.

The Scandinavian motifs were mostly landscapes around Lake Mälaren and from the Stockholm archipelago, cityscapes, many nude studies and some portraits. 

Dick Beer practised many styles during his 30 years as an artist, from post-impressionism, cubism, late cubism, expressionism and naturalism. 

 

Dick Beer (b. London 1893 - d. Stockholm 1938) 

oil on board
70 x 50 cm
stamp signed 
painted c. 1918-1919

Provenance:
Within the family Beer until today

Dick Beer (1893-1938)

Dick Beer was born in London in 1893. His father, John Beer (1853-1906), was a Swedish painter from Stockholm who had a career mainly as a watercolour painter with motifs of horses from racetracks and fox hunts from the countryside.

Barely fifteen years old, Dick Beer became an orphan and came to Sweden in 1907. Already in 1908-1909, he started at Althin's painting school in Stockholm. And later, at the Royal Academy of Arts from 1910-1912. His teachers were, among others, Gustaf Cederström, Oscar Björk and Alfred Bergström. 

At this time, Many artists went to Paris, and Dick Beer wasn't an exception; he rented a studio and took every spare time to visit academies such as Colarossi and Grande Chaumière and André Lhote. 

Dick Beer travels to Pont Aven in Brittany over the summer of 1913. In September, he went directly to Stockholm for his first solo exhibition with the French title Exposition des tableaux de Bretagne et autour de Paris; The exhibition was a big success with many visitors. 

1914-1917: First World War:

In the spring of 1914, Dick Beer undertook a longer study trip to Italy, Tunisia, Morocco and Spain.

When the French army mobilized, Dick Beer volunteered and was accepted into the French Foreign Legion. He was severely injured at Souain in September 1915, and the war injuries left him with severe deafness and nerve problems, which became increasingly noticeable over the years. During and after the war, he painted in a post-impressionistic style with a light palette, increasingly tuned in blue and green.

1918-1919

Dick Beer and Ruth Öhrling married in February, and in December, their only child, John, was born. During these years, Beer had a studio at Rådmansgatan in Stockholm. During this time, he paints several large Cubist compositions such as "In the Paddock" and "Arab Café". 

He participated in the Februarigruppen exhibition at Liljevalch's in 1919. His palette turned into a darker colour scheme dominated by green, blue, and red. 

Amedeo Modigliani made a pencil portrait of him in Paris in 1919. 

Throughout his short life, Beer spent most of his time in France and exhibited almost annually in Paris.

The Scandinavian motifs were mostly landscapes around Lake Mälaren and from the Stockholm archipelago, cityscapes, many nude studies and some portraits. 

Dick Beer practised many styles during his 30 years as an artist, from post-impressionism, cubism, late cubism, expressionism and naturalism. 

Cubistic vision:
In the period following the First World War, the artist’s painting underwent a fundamental transformation. Dick Beer was influenced by various modernistic expressions. In Paris, the first wave of cubism, led by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, was established. It was a controversial artistic style. There was a heated debate about cubism, in which the artist broke up the motif into smaller components, sometimes called facets, in order to rebuild it on the flat surface of the pictorial plane. This manner of painting represented a complete break with preceding pictorial conventions and naturalistic painting.

Cubism was governed by theory, not practice, and critics claimed that the style was too intellectual for the general public and they predicted that it would disappear and that artists would return to a rather more classic expression.

The theories surrounding cubism and its various expressions opened up for a number of reinterpretations in the 1910s. Dick Beer was well aware of the cubist discussions. He embraced the ideas but created a varied, personal and emotive cubism in the years around 1918. His painting was often an explosive discharge with playful characteristics and a futuristic dynamism which accentuated the painting’s inherent speed and movement, as for example his works “Dancer” and “The Toy Box”. He also experimented with geometric compositions of buildings and landscapes, which were reminiscent of Paul Cézanne’s more cubic landscapes. Here, Beer’s colours were often muted, in blue, brown and red hues. He frequently returned to earlier motifs and reworked his canvases into a cubist style, as in “Dancer tying her shoes” and “Seated dancer“.

Contemporary art critics were appalled and Beer had to endure severe criticism. At one point, the artist published a reply in the daily Politiken, 1919, where he described his view on art:

“... because love for and understanding of art, ‘l’art pour l’art’, is not easy to achieve, and neither is it easy to comprehend the different movements’ or schools’ origin, goals, characteristic endeavours, etc. – These international phenomena require not only theoretical and art historical knowledge but (...) the ability to empathise with and feel for art, as its practitioners do”.