ERIK JERKEN (1898-1947)

'Still Life with Poppies'

Oil on board, signed

Erik Jerken was born in Stockholm in 1898 and died there in 1947. A painter, draughtsman and engraver, he studied in 1916-1918 at the Tekniska Skolan in Stockholm, the Althin Art School in 1918 of which he will become a teacher in 1923 and at the Konsthögskolan (High School of Art) in Stockholm.

He won a scholarship to study abroad and went to Germany in 1920, Italy, Belgium and France in 1924-1925 and Yugoslavia in 1930.

A painter in oil and watercolour, he took his inspiration from Stockholm and its surroundings and also intimate views of interiors and still-lives. He was commissioned to decorate the Högalid Church in Stockholm, the Stockholm Town Hall and the Opera House where he produced spectacular Murals, which established him as one of the most sought-after artists of his generation.

He exhibited both in group and in one-man shows such as the Engström Gallery (1932,1934 and 1936), the Modern Konst I Hemmiljö (Modern Art at Home) in 1940, Gallerie Moderne, 1941 to 1943, the prestigious Liljevalchs Museum 'Fria Gruppen' (The Free Group) in 1929, the Stockholm in Contemporary Art in 1940-1941 and at Svenska Konstnärers Förening (Swedish Artists Association), held at the Royal Academy.

Museums: National Museum, Stockholm, Gothenburg , Museum and the Västerås Museum

Source: Dictionary of 20th century Swedish Artists

34" x 28 ½" (87 cm x 73 cm)

(Stock no: HG 5885)