This charming oil on canvas by Swedish artist Ingrid Rydbeck-Zuhr (1905-2001) depicts a period home with a conservatory and garden. It’s an attractive glimpse into the world of this fascinating woman who faced a series of challenges while pursuing her true vocation.

As a female, many of those around Rydbeck-Zuhr poured scorn on her dream of becoming an artist. As such, she found herself dodging between numerous ‘duties’ to squeeze in time to paint. At every juncture, she had to persevere. Initially, her family were against the idea and sent her to a finishing school in Paris. And even when she married fellow artist, Hugo Zuhr, her creativity was inhibited when he became jealous of her talents. It’s almost as if life itself was continually telling her to get a ‘proper job’.

In 1932, following a financial crash in Sweden, she found herself having to support her family by becoming the editor of popular art magazine, the Konstrevy journal. During her 20-year editorship, she increased readership significantly and interviewed a host of household names - Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso to name but a few. During her interview with Picasso, he showed her the newly-completed masterpiece, Guernica.

But perhaps, despite the glamour, it was galling for Rydbeck-Zuhr to be so immersed in the art world when she wasn’t actually finding time to paint. The ideas were circling without a true creative release.

Following her husband's death in 1971, Rydbeck-Zuhr returned to painting as a full-time endeavour. But sadly a car accident in 1980 forced her to finally lay down her brushes.

Today, of her works that remain, we see a glimpse of her potential. Landscapes illuminated with planes of colour - imbued with abundant feeling and sensitivity. And here, in this quiet view from 1930, we see her spirit. A woman escaping as far as the garden to paint a home, which is probably her own.

Signed in the lower left and held within a scroll and foliate gilt frame.

Learn more about Ingrid Rydbeck-Zuhr (1905-2001) in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 16½” x 12½” / 42cm x 32cm
Year of creation: c. 1930
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear including a loss in the lower left.