Johannes Greenberg

(1887-1951)

Teatristseen (Mustlasparun). 1940

Oil on cardboard. 17 x 24 cm
price 3 068 (sold)


Johannes Greenberg "Teatristseen (Mustlasparun)"

Fate of Johannes Greenberg as an artist is one of the most outstanding but also one of the most tragic ones. His "story" includes crestomatic stories, having become unseparable parts of the Estonian art history, but also accusations for not participating in the Soviet artistic life.
Johannes Greenberg is one of the few Estonians, who received his basic education in Munich. In the beginning of the century he visited for a short period the studio school of Ants Laikmaa, but afterwards headed for Germany. There Greenberg also participated in a bigger exhibition for the first time. After a seven-year stay in Moscow he arrived in Estonia in 1920, still continuing longer trips abroad. Long and permanent collection of modern paintings and being present at the birthplaces of new trends enabled Greenberg to become for approximately 30 years one of the most important figures of Estonia. After experimenting with different styles, he left in spring of 1936 for a longer trip to Europe, visiting also Spain for a couple of months. Obviously things experienced and seen there brought about an important and visible change in the artist's creative work. The following is already known by art history as "Intensive flourishing period of Greenberg's creation" that lasted up to around the year 1944. After the war Greenberg seemed to be doing well - in the year 1947 his lecturer's career was crowned with the professor's title and his painting style influenced to a very great extent also painters, acting outside the school walls. But soon all of it was followed by an unexpected turn, his casting out from the Artists' Association, the studio and Greenberg's tragic death in the year 1951.
Works, painted during the period 1936-1944 are considered to be belonging into the gold fund of the Estonian art history. His works of the mentioned period are "continuously in the centre of attention of fellow artists, critics and art viewers, the diversity of his painting solutions creates admiration", write the researchers of Greenberg's creation. Still, in spite of this Greenberg's works have reached wider public remarkably rarely and even smaller is the number of works, being created in his best creative period. Appearing of two works on the favourite topic (theatre and actors) of the artist, who is extremely highly valued among professionals is an event in itself. "Actors" and "A scene at theatre" include everything that those, valuing Greenberg could expect: brilliant painting technique and at the same time improvisations, the recognized Greenberg - style use of colour and dance traces of the brush. Furthermore: we are shown the playful character of theatre, actors, undergoing constant role changings, who have dropped masks for a moment - noble and romantic, enigmatic and mystical. Works, belonging to the best part of Greenberg's creation, prove the author's excellent ability to use painting techniques and of his ability to handle it freely and playfully.
"A scene at theatre" is reproduced in monography "Johannes Greenberg" (author: Hilja Läti). Repro no 71.

Booking and purchase

Appearance in auctions

Portrait of a Woman
Johannes Greenberg
Portrait of a Woman
1940-1944. Oil, canvas 69.5 x 52 cm (framed)
ESTONIAN ART AUCTION - MID-19TH CENTURY TO 1965 Haus Gallery 06.05.2023
12 000
Final price: 12 000
Grief
Johannes Greenberg
Grief
1943. Oil, plywood 89 x 69 cm (framed)
ESTONIAN ART AUCTION - MID-19TH CENTURY TO 1965 Haus Gallery 06.05.2023
17 000
Final price: 100 000
Two Women
Johannes Greenberg
Two Women
1940-1944. Oil, canvas 74.5 x 63.4 cm (framed)
EARLIER ART CLASSICS Haus Gallery 29.10.2022
17 000
Final price: 26 000
Composition
Johannes Greenberg
Composition
1940-1944. Oil, canvas 110.5 x 135.5 cm (framed)
EARLIER ART CLASSICS Haus Gallery 29.10.2022
28 000
Final price: 28 000
Ballroom Scene
Johannes Greenberg
Ballroom Scene
1940s. Oil, paper Vm 17 x 18.2 cm (framed)
EESTI VANEMA KUNSTI KLASSIKA OKSJON Haus Gallery 07.05.2021
4 800
Final price: 8 900
Daami portree
Johannes Greenberg
Daami portree
1946-1951. oil on cardboard 42 x 38 cm (framed)
Haus Gallery 25.10.2013
2 200
Final price:
(sold)"> (sold)Näitlejanna
Johannes Greenberg
Näitlejanna
1940-1950. oil on plywood 60 x 48 cm (framed)
Haus Gallery 08.11.2010-10.11.2010
3 643
Final price: 3 771
Näitlejad
Johannes Greenberg
Näitlejad
1916-1918. oil, paper Vm 19.6 x 19.2 cm (framed)
HAUS GALLERY XXIII ART AUCTION 2008 autumn. Old Masters Paintings Haus Gallery 01.10.2008
3 132
Final price:
(sold)"> (sold)Kaks naist (Ootel)
Johannes Greenberg
Kaks naist (Ootel)
1939. 59.7 x 38.5 cm
HAUS GALLERY´S 10. anniversary art auction Haus Gallery 25.09.2007
8 309
Final price: 25 565
(sold)"> (sold)Istuv akt
Johannes Greenberg
Istuv akt
1930-1931. Oil, canvas 35.3 x 35.8 cm (framed)
HAUS GALLERY XX ART AUCTION, 2007 spring Old Masters Paintings Haus Gallery 15.04.2007-24.04.2007
4 282
Final price: 8 372
(sold)"> (sold)Näitlejad
Johannes Greenberg
Näitlejad
1916. Oil on paper Vm. 19 x 19 cm
HAUS GALLERY XVIth ART AUCTION, 2005 spring Haus Gallery 25.04.2005
1 470
Final price: 2 301
(sold)"> (sold)Näitlejad
Johannes Greenberg
Näitlejad
1940. Oil on canvas 60 x 80 cm
HAUS / XIIth AUCTION, 2003 spring Haus Gallery 24.04.2003
4 090
Final price: 5 241
(sold)"> (sold)Teatristseen (Mustlasparun)
Johannes Greenberg
Teatristseen (Mustlasparun)
1940. Oil on cardboard 17 x 24 cm
HAUS / XIIth AUCTION, 2003 spring Haus Gallery 24.04.2003
1 470
Final price: 3 068
Tütarlaps
Johannes Greenberg
Tütarlaps
1938. Oil on cardboard 78 x 48 cm
HAUS / VII AUCTION, 2000 autumn Haus Gallery 26.10.2000
2 493
Final price:
Mulatitar
Johannes Greenberg
Mulatitar
1910. Coal, chalk, water-color 140 x 78 cm
HAUS / IV AUCTION, 1999 spring Haus Gallery 26.04.1999-24.04.1999
3 132
Final price:

Appearance in exhibitions

Figural Composition
Johannes Greenberg
Figural Composition
undated. Oil, plywood 64 x 48 cm (framed)
WORKS FROM TWO PRIVATE COLLECTIONS Haus Gallery 15.02.2023-13.03.2023

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