Raymer Society Consignment Art Auction
Lot 36:
Hannah Swensson (1866-1945) untitled thistles, 1928 oil on board, signed in lower right, good condition, canvas size: 22.25 X 14.25 inches. Hannah Swensson was born Hannah Olson on March 25th 1866 in St. Charles Illinois, and was one of 18 children. After her mother’s death in 1871, she entered the Augustana orphanage at Andover, Illinois and was nurtured in the arts by Emmy Carlsson Evald. She attended Bethany College for three years in Lindsborg, Kansas, which was founded by her future brother-in-law, Carl Swensson. She married Swensson?s brother, Luther, in 1888 and had five sons, one being my grandfather, Earl Swensson. She taught art at Bethany College from 1891-92, and later studied under Birger Sandzen, professor emeritus at Bethany who was called "The American Van Gogh". He founded the Prairie Printmakers Society. Hannah worked in oil primarily, but like Sandzen, also did lithographs, woodcuts, and charcoal drawings. Hannah was the main breadwinner in their household, for her husband developed crippling arthritis. She was able to sell some of her art, but gave most of it away. From 1928-1925 she was a member of the Kansas State Board of Movie Censors. She was quite a talented, strong, remarkable woman. Hannah Swensson died in Mc Pherson, Kansas on July 6th, 1945.
Condition: good condition
Dimensions: 26 x 18 x 1.5 in
Weight: 3.7 lb
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