Ernst Billgren
Covered by droit de suite
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"Diana"
Signed EB. Oil on panel and glass, the glass pane is decorated with painted details, 109 x 124 cm.
Minor scratchmarks, surface dirt. Not examined out of the frame.
Saleroom notice
Korrekta mått 109 x 124 cm.
More information
Many of Ernst Billgren’s paintings depict nature and interiors where
animals have taken over and no humans are to be seen. Still, in the auction’s
painting, Diana has been given a central place in the composition and her
figure fills up the entire canvas.
What characterizes Ernst Billgren is his reckless way of challenging conventional
notions of what constitutes good art. He mixes fine painting with
kitsch and lets animals and birds into homes and ballrooms as if there had
never been any boundaries. The artworks often combine historical symbols
with commercial perceptions of art to investigate artistic conventions.
Ernst Billgren's artistry is characterized by a diversity that
is unique in Swedish art life. His artistic production covers such widely
different disciplines as painting, sculpture, scenography, fiction, film, music
and furniture design. Throughout these different genres, there
are clear characteristics such as his interest in
nature paintings, romanticism, and the
mythological sphere.
Artist
Ernst Billgren was born in Stockholm in 1957 and studied at Valand Academy from 1982 up until 1987. His artistic career is marked by remarkable diversity, which is quite unique in the Swedish art scene. He is a painter, printmaker, sculptor, author, debator and also worked in film and stage design. His artistic production spans over a multitude of disciplines, encompassing painting, sculpting, set design, furniture design, literature, film, and music. Across these diverse fields is a distinguishable continuity of nature, national romanticism, and mythology. Billgren demonstrates great craftmanship by being able to work in numerous materials such as mosaic, wood, bronze, cement, tile and glass. The defining characteristic of Billgren is his his bold approach to challenging conventional ideas of what constitutes good art. He blends fine art with kitsch and introduces animals and birds into refined settings, blurring traditional boundaries.
Ernst Billgren's work is known for its ability to provoke and leave a lasting impression, ensuring that viewers are engaged and often stirred by his unconventional artistic expressions.