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1555833

Owe Zerge

(Sweden, 1894-1983)
Estimate
250 000 - 300 000 SEK
22 300 - 26 800 EUR
22 700 - 27 200 USD
Hammer price
260 000 SEK
Covered by droit de suite

By law, the buyer will pay an artist fee for this work of art. This fee is 5% of the hammer price, or less. For more information about this law:

Sweden: BUS
Finland: Kuvasto

Purchasing info
Image rights

The artworks in this database are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without the permission of the rights holders. The artworks are reproduced in this database with a license from Bildupphovsrätt.

For condition report contact specialist
Rasmus Sjöbeck
Stockholm
Rasmus Sjöbeck
Assistant Specialist Classic Art
+46 (0)727 33 24 02
Owe Zerge
(Sweden, 1894-1983)

Boy in Scarf

Signed by Owe Zerge. Canvas 70 x 46 cm.

Provenance

The artist's family.

More information

Zerge was born in Oppmanna, Kristianstad in 1894. He grew up at the smallholding Kullesta in Arkelstorp, surrounded by a vast and untouched garden. His father, Nils Svensson, was a cantor, bell-ringer, and portrait painter. His father's passion for portrait painting inspired Zerge to move to Stockholm after his studies to open his own studio in conjunction with his art studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

After his study period and artistic career in Stockholm, Zerge spent some time in Italy where he cultivated an interest in gardening and converted to Catholicism. He also lived in France for a while, where he met the variety singer and actor Maurice Chevalier. As Zerge was an excellent folk singer, they quickly found common ground and often sang together in social settings.

In 1931, Zerge bid on his childhood home, Kullesta, at an auction. He moved back home and lived collectively with his two older sisters. He designed and created a beautiful garden inspired by his time in Italy. His sisters ran the local bank, and many banking transactions also took place at Kullesta. Zerge was both a Freemason and a frequently engaged master of ceremonies. It is said in the local community that he was popular both as a person and as an artist. His older sisters are said to have spoiled their much younger brother. Zerge made a good living from portrait paintings but also painted floral motifs. Zerge was closely associated with his cousin, the sculptor Nils Möllerberg, three years his senior, whose family the portrait from the auction originates from.