JONAS PESON PETTERSSON (1887-1952). Photograph and 4 postcards, chalk and ink on letterhead, 1915-16, signed Jonas Peson.

This is 1 of 6 auction entries concerning Peso's sketches. #3005936, #3005933, #3005931, #3005930, #3005929.

Dimensions from approx. 14x9 cm to 16x12 cm.
The photograph by Peson probably taken in 1916. Embossed with Kirkhorn Molde.
The hunting team with Sergant Sellman, Bull, Ivar, Jonas Peson, Erik Sellman, stamped Grisslehamn 31.12.15.
Train compartment, Ivar and Jonas crying, with text, stamped Vissefjärda 22.12.15.
Jonas holding Ivar on the ice, with text, stamped Vissefjärda 22.12.15.
The artist with ladies, indistinctly stamped, Molde.

Three postcards in ink are with personal text to the addressed Ms. Rundgren in Karlskrona.
The letter card in chalk is to Lejdström without text.

Provenance: Sketchbook and letters between Peson and friends have, through Lejdström, passed through families to current owners.

History: IVAR LEJDSTRÖM, was a young company director during the 1910s in Stockholm. He was close friends with the artist Jonas Peson and their relationship with several other friends in Stockholm is recorded in the letters between Lejdström and Peson. Ivar dies tragically in 1918 outside Grisslehamn in what was quickly classified as suicide. Lejdström was with his friend E Sellman hunting for a boat and Lejdström is said to have died from hail. According to the friends, Ivar should have mentioned that if it becomes difficult for him, he would disappear during a canoe trip. Ivar Lejdström turned out to be heavily in debt and his company went bankrupt as did he privately with millions in debt. The incident was written about in the press and went under the Lejdström crash.
Lejdström was educated in Germany and this is probably where he and Peson met during Jonas' travels. There is a postcard from 1913 Peson sends to Lejdström's address and place of study in Germany.

JONAS PESON, a Scandinavian affair.
Originally born in Helsinki as Johan Pettersson, 1887. His father Victor Pettersson was an editor. In 1902, as a 15-year-old, Peson started at the printing company with his father. The art studies first started with 1908-1911 at the Fiska art association's drawing school. In 1909 he was promoted to higher classes and graduated at the Art Academy in Helsinki.
The study trips began in 1913-15 through Germany, Dresden, Copenhagen, Elsinore.
In 1916, Peson finally comes to Norway and Molde, where he settles. He still spends a lot of time in Elsinore and Stockholm during 1916-17. Finally, Ålesund from 1920 onwards until his death in 1952 will be the artist's hometown. During the 1920s, he becomes a Norwegian citizen and the name Jonas Peson will not only become a nickname but also the artist's real name.

Peson's artistry consists largely of landscapes, fjord and harbor motifs, most from the harbor in Ålesund and the summer resort in Sykkylven, portraits, still lifes and environmental depictions. He also painted religious motifs later, including for churches. Having originally been inspired by French Cubism, his later paintings and watercolors are executed in a simplified naturalism.