Birger Simonsson was an important contributor to Swedish modernism and known predominantly for portraits, figures, and landscapes. He trained at the Académie Matisse in Paris and was the leading figure in the progressive art group ‘De Unga’, of which Isaac Grünewald (1889-1946) was a member.
His works are held in numerous public collections including at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Gothenburg Museum of Art, and the National Museum in Stockholm.
Exhibited
With the artists’ group De Unga and at Liljevalchs.
Public Collections
Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Gothenburg Museum of Art, National Museum in Stockholm. Plus museums at Norrköping, Örebro, Gävle and Ystad.
Timeline
1883
Born in Uddevalla, Sweden to Johan Anton Simonsson, a merchant, and Maria Regina Christina Simonsson (nee Widerberg).
1903-1904
Studied at Kristian Zahrtmann's painting school in Copenhagen.
1905
Studied at Konstnärsförb's school in Stockholm.
1906-1912
Lived in Paris periodically.
1907
Became the leading figure of the artists’ group, ‘De Unga’, of which Isaac Grünewald (1889-1946) was a member.
1909-1910
Studied at the Académie Matisse, Paris.
Students at the Académie Matisse (1910)
1909
In a letter, he praised the work of Van Gogh.
"This is the most beautiful thing I have seen. Matisse is an Olympian but van Gogh speaks to us humans; we surely understand him better."
Shown at an exhibition of De Unga.
1910
Shown at an exhibition of De Unga.
1911
Shown at an exhibition of De Unga.
1911-1912
Undertook study trips to Germany, Italy and France together with Henrik Sörensen.
1914-1916
Lived in Kungälv, Sweden.
1915
Married the artist Ingrid Emerence Maria Gustafsson (1885-1977) in Stockholm.
Taught at Valand's art school.
1919-1926
Lived with his family in Paris. Became influenced by Pierre Bonnard and Renoir. Spent several Summers in Normandy.
1922
Travelled to Cagnes, France.
Shown at Liljevalchs.
1925
Shown at Liljevalchs.
1927
Shown at the Swedish-French art gallery.
1931
Appointed a Professor at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm.
1938
Died in Matteus, Stockholm.