Gusten Widerbäck

1879-1970.

Artist.

Gusten (Erik Gustaf) Widerbäck is an artist from Uppsala and the Uppland plain, although he was born in Södra Vi in Kalmar County.

He began studying music under Ruben Liljefors, but was encouraged to devote himself to oil painting by Ruben's brother Bruno, who gave him support and help. Widerbäck received his formal training at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1899 and at the Artists' Association School in 1900.

After studying art in Stockholm, Widerbäck returned to his childhood town of Uppsala. Widerbäck moved to Årsta, just east of Uppsala, in 1918 and lived there until his death in 1970.

Throughout his 70-year career as an artist, he depicted the plains and the city. Widerbäck's art is characterized by the mood painting of National Romanticism, and he paid lyrical attention to the plains, trees and houses.

Widerbäck spent a lot of time with Olof Thunman and Manne Ihran and had exhibitions in Uppsala, Gävle, Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Shortly before his death, he donated a large number of sketches, drawings, watercolors and gouaches to Upplands konstmuseum. Gusten Widerbäck is represented at the National Museum, in Kalmar, Uppsala University Library and Uppsala Art Association.

Burial site: 0154-0142

Image description: Gusten Widerbäck, Uppsala 1945. Photo: Gunnar Sundgren / UUBThe image is cropped]
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