Spotlight has struck on Cederberg, a once-overlooked Swedish modernist now experiencing a renaissance as British art enthusiasts and collectors rediscover his unique talents.
It all started with the female turn-of-the-century artists. Suddenly, the price trend for their works changed, and paintings that had previously sold for modest sums suddenly fetched quite impressive amounts. The reason for this change could be found in a new art historical interpretation. Female artists who, side by side with men, traveled to Paris and lived an artist's life during the late 19th century were illuminated and their contributions reevaluated. But now, as several Swedish artistic careers are on the rise in terms of value, the explanation is spelled out as the internet and the digital market. An international audience has discovered the catalogs of smaller auction houses and seizes the opportunity to acquire good quality for a relatively small amount.
ERIC CEDERBERG. Stilleben med pære, olie på panel.
The latest line of Swedish painters to be discovered is the understated Eric Cederberg (1897-1984). As an artist, he was self-taught and conducted his own studies during trips to Germany, among other places. In cities like Paris, he was influenced by the emerging modernism, and in 1922, he made his debut at home with an exhibition in Helsingborg.
Alongside his painting, he made a living as an advertising illustrator and shop decorator, which sometimes becomes apparent in his painting, especially in the later part of his career when the compositions have a somewhat formalised appearance. This is said in a positive light.
Right from the start, he showed a preference for small-scale still lifes where he repeatedly depicted his pears, chestnuts, and lemons in various compositions. In Sweden, these works have been said to show similarities with major international names, but on closer inspection, influences from Swedish modernists, such as Esaias Thorén, can be found. The lying pipe on a table can almost be seen as a direct reference to Thorén.
Sometimes Cederberg devoted himself to more planar geometric expressions, but more significant were his inclinations towards the surrealistic with typical attributes of that direction, all, however, presented in Cederberg's well-organised manner. He does not seem to have spent many hours at the easel on spontaneous outbursts. Everything seemed to be in its place, seems to have been the watchwords.
Rising Recognition: A British Perspective
A British expert who has noticed Eric Cederberg's renaissance is Richard Kay, Director & Pictures specialist at Lawrences Auctioneers. He notes the rising price trend and also sees a certain resemblance to some English artists:
"I would say that 'Composition with Boat' looks like Donald McIntyre, 'Coastal Part' has a little bit of Tristram Hillier, the still lifes are a bit like Cedric Morris and Mary Fedden, the 'Flower Still Life' looks like Conroy Maddox and the 'Photo Realist' subjects have the look of Eliot Hodgkin."
Compared to the prominent British painters, it is still a good opportunity to find Cederberg's paintings. And if one is considering, while there is time, to snatch one of his paintings at auction, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Most of Cederberg's works are small in size, but it is the slightly larger paintings that are most sought after, especially landscapes with more or less surrealist elements and preferably with the typical checkered black and white floor that is so characteristic of Cederberg.
If one can choose freely, these motifs can preferably include a face or body of a female nature. Cederberg did not spoil his customers with such details. Somewhat more common are the small portrait paintings that occasionally appear in his still lifes. When this is the case, the titles sometimes indicate that these depict a deceased relative. If one wishes for something typical of the artist, the painting should contain some pears, regardless of whether it is a still life or a landscape. In addition to the checkered floor and pipes, the pear is central to his production and appears in almost every other painting.
Color is also something that potential buyers should keep in mind. Cederberg alternates between subdued, rich scenes, sometimes with a pale moon reflecting a little light from a sky ranging from turquoise to dark navy blue. The red color, which can vary from completely clear to a more murky shade resembling a well-aged wine, also seems to appeal to buyers. Particularly valuable are his studies of fruits, mushrooms, or oysters placed on a wooden table. These can often be very impactful without having high price tags.
The Next Big Thing? A Possible Investment Opportunity
Unlike many of the recurring artist names of the 20th century, Eric Cederberg's early works are not the most lucrative. These paintings are relatively easy to place in time and stand out with a more lavish – or sloppier, if you will – style, far from the formula that he found and adhered to later in his career.
Those strange vegetables could make a very sour soup but I can see why he is collectable.
– Richard Kay, Specialist at Lawrences Auctioneers
Eric Cederberg's paintings have long been considered valuable in the Swedish auction market, but despite the appreciation of many connoisseurs, the price level has remained very low until recently. So low that five, ten years ago at an auction, you could bid on a decent still life for under 100 pound.
One reason for this may be his relatively large production, which sometimes gives the impression of a mass production, especially when it comes to studies in smaller formats. Another reason may be that as a self-taught artist, he worked in the shadow of more renowned Swedish modernists, didn't appear in the most significant contexts, and didn't achieve any major public breakthrough during his lifetime. It is only now, thanks to the digital revolution in the auction industry and a number of alert buyers from, among others, England and France, that Eric Cederberg is getting the attention he deserves through his long-standing work.
Text: Andreas Siesing, Specialist at Auctionet
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