Bertil Damm was a Swedish painter and muralist known for his carefully composed interiors, still lifes and public art. He was born in Tierp in 1887 and studied at Althins målarskola in 1906, followed by the Swedish Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Konstakademin) from 1907 to 1908. His early work often depicted calm, uncluttered domestic scenes, rendered in a soft tonal palette with a focus on light and form.
Three women, mixed media/pastel chalk, clubbed for 4,638 GBP at Crafoord Auktioner Stockholm.
Damm balanced fine detail with overall harmony, showing a strong sense for composition and surface. His still lifes and interior motifs reflected an appreciation for Nordic simplicity and the beauty of the everyday.
From Studio to Monumental Scale
In addition to easel painting, Damm worked extensively with large-scale murals and decorative painting. One of his most notable works is the mural Apoteos över svensk bildning. He also contributed to theatre set design, an influence visible in his strong sense of spatial arrangement and scenographic structure.
"The road", oil on canvas.
Recognition and Representation
Bertil Damm exhibited with Sveriges Allmänna Konstförening and had solo exhibitions in the 1920s and 30s. He also had a retrospective exhibition at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1934. While never a central figure in the art world, he garnered appreciation for his technical skill and intimate subjects.