"The Other Swedes"
~ Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~
Dr. & Dr. Mrs. Charles Greenough III
~ Remembering them for their gift of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
Pending
~ Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~
Dr. & Dr. Mrs. Charles Greenough III
~ Remembering them for their gift of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
Pending
Margaret Sandzén Greenough (1909-1993)
Margareta Elisabeth Sandzén was born June 16, 1909 to Birger and Alfrida Sandzén. Her love of art from an early age is well documented by letters and papers in the Archives of the Sandzén Gallery. Cheerful, talented and lively, she displayed a talent and interest in drawing and painting at the age of eleven. From that point onward, her father and mother prepared Margaret for a career in art.
She studied art primarily with her father, Birger Sandzén. Additionally, in 1926 Margaret received a two-year scholarship to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After transferring to Bethany College, she earned a bachelor of liberal arts degree in 1931 and a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1932. A two year Rockefeller Fellowship made it possible for her to receive a Masters degree in Art History from Columbia University in 1941. While there, she studied life drawing with George Bridgman, figure drawing with Robert Brackman, and completed her thesis on Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.
She also studied figure drawing and painting in Paris for one year and for three years at the Art Students’ League in New York. While in New York, she became a member and exhibited with the National Association of Women Artists.
Margaret especially enjoyed painting oil portraits. Her subjects included Lindsborg friends, family and local Swedes. She also completed several higher level commissions. Like her father, her portraits relied on fundamentally sound drawing as the basis for her painting. Because of ill health, Margaret stopped painting in the early 1950s. A spinal condition made standing and painting at an easel difficult.
Margaret taught art at Bethany College from 1934 to 1936, and again during World War II from 1942 to 1946. Additionally, throughout the 1930's, 40's and 50's she gave innumerable lectures on a variety of topics in art history.
In 1942, Margaret married Charles Pelham Greenough 3rd. from Boston, Massachusetts. They made their home in Lindsborg and together worked tirelessly to develop the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, beginning with the formation of the Foundation in 1955. Following her husband's death in 1983, Margaret continued her dedication to the Gallery. Her desire to promote her father’s life and work took precedence over many aspects of her life.
In recognition of her fine achievements, Bethany College conferred upon Margaret the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts in 1981.
She served as vice-president of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Foundation Board of Directors until her death in late March of 1993.
Chronology
1909 June 16 Margaret born in Lindsborg.
1910 Summer First of many trips to visit her grandparents in Graham County, Kansas.
1911 July Margaret begins to talk.
1914 April Has scarlet fever.
1921 October Margaret moves into upstairs east bedroom.
1922 July Margaret attends YWCA summer camp.
1923 May 25 Graduates from Eighth grade in the Lindsborg City Schools.
Summer Visits father in Colorado.
1924 Jan – late May Travels to New York, then Sweden with parents.
Summer Stays with mother and father in Estes Park and Manitou.
November Exhibits two works in the annual McPherson Art Exhibition.
1925 Spring Confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg.
November Exhibits two paintings and four color drawings in the McPherson Art Exhibition.
1926 Summer Travels to Colorado.
Fall Begins attending Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri on a two-year scholarship.
1927 January Weekend trip to Chicago. Is enrolled in Botany, Trigonometry, English, Spanish, Gym and Music at Stephens. Does "not really like the art teachers so I was not induced to take the courses offered."
1928 June Graduates with a Junior College diploma from Stephens College and returns to Lindsborg.
1929 January Travels to New York. Enrolls and attends K.U. in the spring semester. Pledges Pi Phi.
April Leaves KU and travels to Connecticut for back (spinal) treatments and exercises. Many social committments.
September Travels to New York and then on to New Haven, Conn. to continue spinal treatments.
October Enrolls in Art School and takes lessons.
November Receives OK to return to Lindsborg from Dr. Phelps, who says her back is better.
December Leaves from New York with Carl Milles and returns to Lindsborg.
1930 Spring Enrolls at Bethany College and likely first introduction to Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd at Bethany's performance of the Messiah. He escorted his aunt (and close friend of the Sandzén's) Mrs. Massey (Ethel Greenough) Holmes.
April Receives Swedish (Skåne) folk costume from Carl Milles.
Summer Travels with mother, father and Pelham Greenough to Logan, Utah. Birger Sandzén is teaching summer classes at Utah State Agricultural College. Margaret takes classes.
1931 June Graduates from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree.
July Travels to New York and stays with parents in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where her father is teaching summer school.
August Travels to California and spends much of the Fall with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd's family. Travels throughout California and visits Evelyn Sheets (Harms) in Sacramento. Sends wires frequently to her parents.
October Returns to Lindsborg late in the month and continues studies at Bethany.
1932 May Graduates with second Bethany degree (Bachelor of Fine Arts).
September Leaves for Paris to study figure drawing and painting. Shares room in Paris with Myra Biggerstaff.
December Begins taking etching classes from Robert Fulton Logan in Paris. Myra leaves Paris for Sweden and Margaret moves to the home of Mlle. De Puthod. On December 7, writes to her parents that her three main ambitions are: 1. Launch Daddy, 2. Become a good painter herself, 3. Have the most complete collection of Sandzén's and preserve them properly.
Last correspondence with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd until December 1937, during which time he is married and divorced.
1933 January-late Myra returns from Sweden and she and Margaret select a new art school "Les 3 Ateliers."
February Margaret shows her father's prints to etcher Edouard Leon and later studies drawing and etching with him.
April Visits Brittany and makes sketches and etchings.
June Leaves Paris for a short stay in London. Meets Malcolm Salaman and shows him her father's graphic works. Writes to her parents that she has heard Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd is engaged.
August Leaves Paris and arrives in New York mid-month. Soon departs for Lindsborg, where she has accepted a teaching position at Bethany College.
1934 June Travels to Boulder, Colorado, and takes art classes.
August Spends time in Estes Park with her parents prior to returning to teach at Bethany.
1935 Summer Visits Mexico with her father.
August Travels to Denver and Estes Park, Colorado.
1936 May Finishes second year of teaching at Bethany College.
June Declines marriage proposal from "Howard" in Kansas City.
1937 February Travels to Chicago, New York and departs for Sweden late in the month.
Spring Spent in Sweden visiting relatives and assisting with her father's exhibition in Stockholm.
Summer Travels through Europe (Denmark, Germany, Italy, England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands), returning to Sweden in the fall.
November Returns to Lindsborg.
December Margaret resumes correspondence with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd, whom she has not contacted in over four years.
1939 June Travels to Boulder for summer studies.
September Leaves for New York to begin masters program at Columbia and takes classes at New York University. In October writes she is "taking Chinese Art, Philosophy of Art (Audit) 15th century Italian painting and American art." Also begins drawing class with George Bridgman.
December Returns to Lindsborg for Christmas.
1940 Summer Travels to Colorado with father.
September Returns to New York and Master's program at Columbia.
October Tries for a Guggenheim Fellowship. One of her advisors, Dr. Meyer Shapiro, indicates she doesn't have a chance as does Henry Varnum Poor when she visits him on October 12, 1940 to show her portfolio. In her proposal, she would like to return to Kansas and paint Kansas landscapes throughout the year.
November Late in the month, Birger Sandzén visits his daughter in New York. They spend a good deal of time visiting galleries.
Exhibits paintings with the National Society of Women Painters and Sculptors in New York.
1941 Winter and Spring Margaret works to complete her thesis on Edvard Munch.
June Leaves for Lindsborg after completing her thesis at Columbia.
September Returns to New York and studies at Columbia.
1942 January Continues studies with Bridgman at Columbia.
February Finishes thesis paper on Munch.
March Finishes work at Columbia and returns to Lindsborg.
September Returns to teaching at Bethany College.
October 25 Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd and Margaret Sandzén announce their engagement.
Thanksgiving Marries Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd.
1943 February Margaret and Pelham leave for an extended stay in New York.
June Margaret begins developing portrait of Dr. F. D. (Francis David) Farrell, president-emeritus of Kansas State Univ.
1944 January Margaret paints portrait of Dr. F. D. Farrell, president-emeritus of Kansas State Univ. The painting is unveiled in February.
Margaret and Pelham make periodic extended trips to Santa Barbara, California to visit Pelham's parents.
1945 Margaret's recognition as a portrait painter continues to grow. She especially enjoys painting Lindsborg residents. Additionally, she gives talks on a variety of art related subjects for many years to clubs and organizations throughout Kansas. Among her topics are: "Birger Sandzén," "Carl Milles," "Three Swedes from Västergötland: Birger, Hagbard and Oscar," "Christ in Art," Art in the Home and Community," Swedish Art," and "Lindsborg Artists."
1954 June 22, 1954 Margaret's father, Birger Sandzén dies on.
1955 March 11, 1955 Margaret is one of the original board members of the newly established Birger Sandzén Memorial Foundation.
Summer Pelham and Margaret travel to Sweden and through Europe (Spain and Italy). Return in early September.
1956 Pelham and Margaret begin making regular trips to Santa Barbara, California.
1957 October 20 The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery opens to the public.
1958 Exhibits approximately 50 works at the Baker Art Galleries in Great Bend, Kansas.
1961 March 13, 1961 Margaret's mother, Alfrida Sandzén dies on March 13, 1961.
Margaret gives up painting due to worsening back condition.
1970 Summer Margaret and Pelham travel to Sweden.
1981 May Receives an honorary Doctorate from Bethany College.
1982 October The Greenoughs celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sandzén Gallery.
1983 January 18 Margaret's husband, Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd, dies.
1991 October Margaret is honored by the King of Sweden with the Medallion of the Polar Star (Royal Order of the North Star). This honor was conferred by the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Anders Thunberg.
1993 March 21 Margaret Sandzén Greenough dies.
Margareta Elisabeth Sandzén was born June 16, 1909 to Birger and Alfrida Sandzén. Her love of art from an early age is well documented by letters and papers in the Archives of the Sandzén Gallery. Cheerful, talented and lively, she displayed a talent and interest in drawing and painting at the age of eleven. From that point onward, her father and mother prepared Margaret for a career in art.
She studied art primarily with her father, Birger Sandzén. Additionally, in 1926 Margaret received a two-year scholarship to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After transferring to Bethany College, she earned a bachelor of liberal arts degree in 1931 and a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1932. A two year Rockefeller Fellowship made it possible for her to receive a Masters degree in Art History from Columbia University in 1941. While there, she studied life drawing with George Bridgman, figure drawing with Robert Brackman, and completed her thesis on Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.
She also studied figure drawing and painting in Paris for one year and for three years at the Art Students’ League in New York. While in New York, she became a member and exhibited with the National Association of Women Artists.
Margaret especially enjoyed painting oil portraits. Her subjects included Lindsborg friends, family and local Swedes. She also completed several higher level commissions. Like her father, her portraits relied on fundamentally sound drawing as the basis for her painting. Because of ill health, Margaret stopped painting in the early 1950s. A spinal condition made standing and painting at an easel difficult.
Margaret taught art at Bethany College from 1934 to 1936, and again during World War II from 1942 to 1946. Additionally, throughout the 1930's, 40's and 50's she gave innumerable lectures on a variety of topics in art history.
In 1942, Margaret married Charles Pelham Greenough 3rd. from Boston, Massachusetts. They made their home in Lindsborg and together worked tirelessly to develop the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, beginning with the formation of the Foundation in 1955. Following her husband's death in 1983, Margaret continued her dedication to the Gallery. Her desire to promote her father’s life and work took precedence over many aspects of her life.
In recognition of her fine achievements, Bethany College conferred upon Margaret the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts in 1981.
She served as vice-president of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Foundation Board of Directors until her death in late March of 1993.
Chronology
1909 June 16 Margaret born in Lindsborg.
1910 Summer First of many trips to visit her grandparents in Graham County, Kansas.
1911 July Margaret begins to talk.
1914 April Has scarlet fever.
1921 October Margaret moves into upstairs east bedroom.
1922 July Margaret attends YWCA summer camp.
1923 May 25 Graduates from Eighth grade in the Lindsborg City Schools.
Summer Visits father in Colorado.
1924 Jan – late May Travels to New York, then Sweden with parents.
Summer Stays with mother and father in Estes Park and Manitou.
November Exhibits two works in the annual McPherson Art Exhibition.
1925 Spring Confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg.
November Exhibits two paintings and four color drawings in the McPherson Art Exhibition.
1926 Summer Travels to Colorado.
Fall Begins attending Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri on a two-year scholarship.
1927 January Weekend trip to Chicago. Is enrolled in Botany, Trigonometry, English, Spanish, Gym and Music at Stephens. Does "not really like the art teachers so I was not induced to take the courses offered."
1928 June Graduates with a Junior College diploma from Stephens College and returns to Lindsborg.
1929 January Travels to New York. Enrolls and attends K.U. in the spring semester. Pledges Pi Phi.
April Leaves KU and travels to Connecticut for back (spinal) treatments and exercises. Many social committments.
September Travels to New York and then on to New Haven, Conn. to continue spinal treatments.
October Enrolls in Art School and takes lessons.
November Receives OK to return to Lindsborg from Dr. Phelps, who says her back is better.
December Leaves from New York with Carl Milles and returns to Lindsborg.
1930 Spring Enrolls at Bethany College and likely first introduction to Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd at Bethany's performance of the Messiah. He escorted his aunt (and close friend of the Sandzén's) Mrs. Massey (Ethel Greenough) Holmes.
April Receives Swedish (Skåne) folk costume from Carl Milles.
Summer Travels with mother, father and Pelham Greenough to Logan, Utah. Birger Sandzén is teaching summer classes at Utah State Agricultural College. Margaret takes classes.
1931 June Graduates from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree.
July Travels to New York and stays with parents in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where her father is teaching summer school.
August Travels to California and spends much of the Fall with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd's family. Travels throughout California and visits Evelyn Sheets (Harms) in Sacramento. Sends wires frequently to her parents.
October Returns to Lindsborg late in the month and continues studies at Bethany.
1932 May Graduates with second Bethany degree (Bachelor of Fine Arts).
September Leaves for Paris to study figure drawing and painting. Shares room in Paris with Myra Biggerstaff.
December Begins taking etching classes from Robert Fulton Logan in Paris. Myra leaves Paris for Sweden and Margaret moves to the home of Mlle. De Puthod. On December 7, writes to her parents that her three main ambitions are: 1. Launch Daddy, 2. Become a good painter herself, 3. Have the most complete collection of Sandzén's and preserve them properly.
Last correspondence with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd until December 1937, during which time he is married and divorced.
1933 January-late Myra returns from Sweden and she and Margaret select a new art school "Les 3 Ateliers."
February Margaret shows her father's prints to etcher Edouard Leon and later studies drawing and etching with him.
April Visits Brittany and makes sketches and etchings.
June Leaves Paris for a short stay in London. Meets Malcolm Salaman and shows him her father's graphic works. Writes to her parents that she has heard Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd is engaged.
August Leaves Paris and arrives in New York mid-month. Soon departs for Lindsborg, where she has accepted a teaching position at Bethany College.
1934 June Travels to Boulder, Colorado, and takes art classes.
August Spends time in Estes Park with her parents prior to returning to teach at Bethany.
1935 Summer Visits Mexico with her father.
August Travels to Denver and Estes Park, Colorado.
1936 May Finishes second year of teaching at Bethany College.
June Declines marriage proposal from "Howard" in Kansas City.
1937 February Travels to Chicago, New York and departs for Sweden late in the month.
Spring Spent in Sweden visiting relatives and assisting with her father's exhibition in Stockholm.
Summer Travels through Europe (Denmark, Germany, Italy, England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands), returning to Sweden in the fall.
November Returns to Lindsborg.
December Margaret resumes correspondence with Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd, whom she has not contacted in over four years.
1939 June Travels to Boulder for summer studies.
September Leaves for New York to begin masters program at Columbia and takes classes at New York University. In October writes she is "taking Chinese Art, Philosophy of Art (Audit) 15th century Italian painting and American art." Also begins drawing class with George Bridgman.
December Returns to Lindsborg for Christmas.
1940 Summer Travels to Colorado with father.
September Returns to New York and Master's program at Columbia.
October Tries for a Guggenheim Fellowship. One of her advisors, Dr. Meyer Shapiro, indicates she doesn't have a chance as does Henry Varnum Poor when she visits him on October 12, 1940 to show her portfolio. In her proposal, she would like to return to Kansas and paint Kansas landscapes throughout the year.
November Late in the month, Birger Sandzén visits his daughter in New York. They spend a good deal of time visiting galleries.
Exhibits paintings with the National Society of Women Painters and Sculptors in New York.
1941 Winter and Spring Margaret works to complete her thesis on Edvard Munch.
June Leaves for Lindsborg after completing her thesis at Columbia.
September Returns to New York and studies at Columbia.
1942 January Continues studies with Bridgman at Columbia.
February Finishes thesis paper on Munch.
March Finishes work at Columbia and returns to Lindsborg.
September Returns to teaching at Bethany College.
October 25 Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd and Margaret Sandzén announce their engagement.
Thanksgiving Marries Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd.
1943 February Margaret and Pelham leave for an extended stay in New York.
June Margaret begins developing portrait of Dr. F. D. (Francis David) Farrell, president-emeritus of Kansas State Univ.
1944 January Margaret paints portrait of Dr. F. D. Farrell, president-emeritus of Kansas State Univ. The painting is unveiled in February.
Margaret and Pelham make periodic extended trips to Santa Barbara, California to visit Pelham's parents.
1945 Margaret's recognition as a portrait painter continues to grow. She especially enjoys painting Lindsborg residents. Additionally, she gives talks on a variety of art related subjects for many years to clubs and organizations throughout Kansas. Among her topics are: "Birger Sandzén," "Carl Milles," "Three Swedes from Västergötland: Birger, Hagbard and Oscar," "Christ in Art," Art in the Home and Community," Swedish Art," and "Lindsborg Artists."
1954 June 22, 1954 Margaret's father, Birger Sandzén dies on.
1955 March 11, 1955 Margaret is one of the original board members of the newly established Birger Sandzén Memorial Foundation.
Summer Pelham and Margaret travel to Sweden and through Europe (Spain and Italy). Return in early September.
1956 Pelham and Margaret begin making regular trips to Santa Barbara, California.
1957 October 20 The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery opens to the public.
1958 Exhibits approximately 50 works at the Baker Art Galleries in Great Bend, Kansas.
1961 March 13, 1961 Margaret's mother, Alfrida Sandzén dies on March 13, 1961.
Margaret gives up painting due to worsening back condition.
1970 Summer Margaret and Pelham travel to Sweden.
1981 May Receives an honorary Doctorate from Bethany College.
1982 October The Greenoughs celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sandzén Gallery.
1983 January 18 Margaret's husband, Charles Pelham Greenough, 3rd, dies.
1991 October Margaret is honored by the King of Sweden with the Medallion of the Polar Star (Royal Order of the North Star). This honor was conferred by the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Anders Thunberg.
1993 March 21 Margaret Sandzén Greenough dies.
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
