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Frans Berg
Seated Nude in the Studio – A Modernist Study from the 1920s

c. 1925

About the Item

This evocative oil painting, titled Studio Muse, depicts a seated nude in a quiet moment of contemplation. The model is shown in profile, resting on a simple wooden stool against a neutral, textured backdrop—likely a curtain in a classic studio setting. The pose is calm and natural, rendered with visible, painterly brushwork that gives the surface a vibrant, tactile quality. The artist captures the warmth of skin tones with layered strokes of ochre, rose, and muted violet, offset by cool shadows and subdued surroundings. Frans Berg (1892–1949), a Swedish painter born in Ystad who studied at Valand’s art school in Gothenburg. Known primarily for landscapes and still lifes, Berg’s oeuvre reflects both academic discipline and a sensitivity to modern form and color. He is represented in the collections of Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Malmö museum, and Ystad Art Museum. While figure painting was not his primary focus, the confident handling of anatomy and the modern sensibility in Studio Muse aligns with the artistic currents circulating in Sweden and continental Europe during the 1920s. Executed with both clarity and looseness, the painting straddles the boundary between tradition and modernism. It reflects the continued relevance of the nude in early 20th-century art, while also embracing a more intimate, subjective expression. Studio Muse stands as a poised and thoughtful work—rooted in academic practice but open to the visual language of its time. oil on canvas signed “F. Berg” unframed 59.5 x 42.5 cm (23.4 x 16.7 inches) framed 73 x 56 cm (28.7 x 22 inches) Provenance: Art dealer Vasakonst, Sweden.
  • Creator:
    Frans Berg (1892 - 1949, Swedish)
  • Creation Year:
    c. 1925
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 28.75 in (73 cm)Width: 22.05 in (56 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The painting is in very good condition. The colors remain clear and vibrant, with no visible fading or discoloration. The canvas is structurally sound and stable. The surface shows only minimal, age-appropriate craquelure. Frame with old patina.
  • Gallery Location:
    Stockholm, SE
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1445216455552

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