Owe Zerge (1894-1983) - Yellow Rose

Owe Zerge (1894-1983) Swedish

Yellow Rose

oil on board
signed Owe Zerge
unframed 60.5 x 27.5 cm
framed 73 x 39.5 cm

Provenance:
A Swedish private collection.

Essay:
This piece presents an exquisite yellow rose, its petals meticulously detailed to the extent that they almost leap off the canvas, offering viewers a near three-dimensional experience.

Set against a deep burgundy backdrop, the rose sits gracefully in a slender vase on a table. The choice of a wine-red background accentuates the vivacity of the yellow, making the rose not just a mere subject of the painting, but its very soul.

Owe Zerge's life story is equally as compelling as his art. Born in 1894 in Oppmanna socken, Kristianstads län, Zerge embarked on a journey in the world of art that led him from Althins painting school in Stockholm to the prestigious Konsthögskolan. Further enriching his craft, he ventured abroad, soaking in the artistic sensibilities of Italy and France. Under the guidance of eminent artists such as André Lhote, Zerge honed his style, culminating in his debut at the Parissalongen in 1921.

Throughout his lifetime, Zerge's works found places of honor in renowned exhibitions, from Liljevalchs konsthall to Valand-Chalmers in Göteborg. His talent is forever immortalized in the collections of several museums, including Gävle museum, Kristianstads museum, and Tomelilla museum.

However, beyond Zerge’s impressive biography, "Yellow Rose" speaks a universal language. Yellow roses, known universally as symbols of friendship, evoke feelings of warmth, appreciation, and joy. They're not just flowers but emblems of cherished moments, shared laughter, and deep bonds. They're frequently gifted on birthdays or special occasions, celebrating the love between two good friends. In painting such a rose with such precision and depth, Zerge transcends the canvas's boundaries, turning it into an ode to friendship and affection.