INSIDE SANDZÉN This feature, highlighting a discovery relating to Sandzén from the archives, will be periodically updated on the website and is planned for each issue of Gallery Notes.

A recent Sandzén Archives acquisition is an initial transcription of Margaret Sandzén Greenough's "Introduction" to a proposed book about her father Birger Sandzén. This was handwritten by Dr. James Kaplan, Professor of French at Minnesota State University Moorhead, who transcribed it in early 1900 from ordered materials on numbered slips of paper, and he made the donation to the Archives. Although typed copies of this and a revision of it were later, no typescript has yet surfaced

Additional specific information concerning the origin of the work is printed in the Spring 2004 issue of Gallery Notes. Also in this issue, distributed to all Sandzén Gallery members, is the complete version of this transcription.

Although Margaret Greenough was an artist, art historian, art critic, and teacher, in this introduction she sets down simply her memories of her father in order to highlight his characteristics as a person with many varied interests and abilities. An excerpt from this work follows, with added reference material bracketed.

"How he loved the Smoky River with trees, especially in the autumn. While many artists were painting their versions of dust storms in the 1930s, Father chose to ignore this subject matter. When I asked him why, he replied, 'Oh, it will rain again.' Nor did he like to paint snow unless it was on a mountain side.
"Father enjoyed painting still lifes and was quite addicted to big green hedge balls, not to forget the purple egg-plant and citrus fruits. When it came to flowers, the sunflower was easily number one, but coxcombs, chrysanthemums and cactus blooms weren't far behind. . . .
"Father taught French and Spanish for thirty-four years, not to forget classes in art history. He acknowledged that Alphonse Daudet [French novelist, 1840-1897] was probably his favorite author. Albert Engstrom, a Swede, was his favorite humorist. [Engstrom, who lived from 1869 to 1940, was also an artist and satiric cartoonist.] A favorite example of Engstrom's humor was the remark by a man who, having been introduced to a friend's twin sons, said, 'It's wonderful how much you two look alike-you Karl and you John, especially you John."'

In filing the Sandzén correspondence one never knows what will be in an envelope marked "keep!" (never in Birger Sandzén's handwriting) except that it will always be some special thanks or tribute to Birger Sandzén and, often, his family. The envelope with such a marking from Mrs. Paul M. Lindberg (Hortense) of Rock Island, Illinois, postmarked March 26, 1948, and addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Birger Sandzén , contained a seven page "little appreciation of the truly great man," written "with your kind cooperation." The author, Hortense Larson Lindberg, had received her B.A. from Bethany College in 1929.

This "appreciation," titled by the author "Birger Sandzén, Artist and Friend," is being printed in two parts in the Summer and Fall 2004 issues of Gallery Notes, distributed to all Gallery members. "Group 3" at the top of the first page, along with the author's name and address, would seem to indicate that this was produced somewhat formally as the project for some organization. Help in identifying the author further would be appreciated for added context. Brief excerpts from the first part follow.

Something about the rugged independence of the sturdy pioneers on the wide and wind-swept prairies excited the imagination of the young artist [Birger Sandzén]. After his teaching duties were over, he spent long hours scrambling about the bluffs around the Smoky River getting acclimated, soaking up the feel of the "ringing sunshine," learning the vivid tones of greens, yellows, and blues. Gradually he came to paint the Kansas landscape with his own vigorous technique of gorgeous, massive color and stately composition. . . .

Carl Smalley, Kansas art critic, has said, "When Sandzén looks upon the face of the Kansas Prairie he sees the conquest of the wilderness, and he makes the world feel the courage of the Kansas spirit and the power of the Kansas sinews."

Inside Sandzen (2004 spring edition)
Inside Sandzen (2004 winter edition)
Inside Sandzen (2003 fall edition)
Inside Sandzen (2003 summer edition)
Inside Sandzen (2003 spring edition)
Inside Sandzen (2003 winter edition)
Inside Sandzen (2002 edition)
Inside Sandzen (2001 edition)
Inside Sandzen (2000 edition)
Inside Sandzen (1999 edition)
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