Red Barn Studio Museum
212 S. Main Street, Lindsborg, Ks 67456
Phone: (785) 227-2217
email: raymer@redbarnstudio.org
© 2023 redbarnstudio.org
Raymer Society Consignment Art Auction
Lot 78:
This original watercolor by artist Margaret Sandzen-Greenough features the image of a cabin on a hit and is dated 1934. In good condition, this piece measures 10" x 14" and is pencil signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner. Margaret Elizabeth Sandzen was born on June 16, 1909 to Birger and Alfrida Sandzen. Her love of art from an early age is well documented by letters and papers in the Archives of the Sandzen Gallery. Cheerful, talented and lively, she displayed a talent and interest in drawing and painting at the age of eleven. Her father and mother prepared her for a career in art.
Margaret Sandzen Greenough studied art mainly with her father Birger Sandzen. In 1926 Margaret received a two-year scholarship to Stephens College at Columbia, Missouri. She earned a bachelors of liberal arts degree in 1931 and a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1932 from Bethany College. A two year Rockefeller Fellowship grant made it possible for her to receive a masters degree in Art History from Columbia University in 1941.
She also studied figure drawing and painting in Paris for one year and three years at the Art Students’ League in New York. While in New York, she exhibited with, and became a member of, the National Association of Women Artists.
Margaret especially enjoyed painting oil portraits. She painted Lindsborg friends, family and also completed several commissions. Her portraits are good likeness of the subjects. Many of her portraits are of second and third generation Swedes.
In 1942 Margaret married Charles Pelham Greenough 3d. from Boston, Massachusetts. They made their home in Lindsborg and together worked zealously to develop the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery.
In recognition of her fine achievements, Bethany College conferred upon Margaret the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts in 1981.
Because of ill health, Margaret stopped painting in the early 1950s. A spinal condition made standing and painting at an easel painful. Like her father, Birger Sandzen, her portraits rely on a good foundation drawing as the basis for the painting.
Margaret continued to develop the Sandzen Gallery with her husband even after his death in 1983. Her desire to promote her father’s life and work took precedence over all aspects of her life.
She served as vice-president of the Birger Sandzen Memorial Foundation Board of Directors until her death in late March of 1993.
Condition: Good
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Red Barn Studio Museum
212 S. Main Street, Lindsborg, Ks 67456
Phone: (785) 227-2217
email: raymer@redbarnstudio.org
© 2023 redbarnstudio.org