Birger Sandzén

Sven Birger Sandzén was born February 5, 1871 at Blidsberg, Sweden. Birger, as he was called, left for Stockholm in 1891, to develop his interest and talent in painting. In June 1894 Sandzén returned home. That same year Sandzén wrote a letter to Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, president of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas. The letter began, "The one who writes this letter is a young Swedish artist and student who respectfully seeks a position in the service of your college." Little did Sandzén know that he would spend the remainder of his life-sixty years-at the college in Lindsborg. Sandzén arrived September 3, 1894 in Lindsborg: "Sandzén's identification with the college and the community was instantaneous and lifelong." Famous Kansas artist, Charles B. Rogers, was a student of Sandzén at Bethany. He remembers his teacher as "A real gentleman. If anything a bit too tolerant of incompetence in his students." Rogers also succeeded Birger Sandzén in the Bethany Art Department. After fifty-two years of service to Bethany College, Birger Sandzén retired in June 1946. Although retired, he maintained a close relationship with the college as artist-in-residence and professor emeritus of art. "Sandzén's desire for the 'coming of spring, warmth and the end of bare trees' was granted as his earthly pilgrimage came to an end at Lindsborg on June 22, 1954." The BCCC Permanent Art Collection contains several of Sandzén's works.

Birger Sandzen
Mountain Lake
Oil on masonite
(Donated by Margaret O. Baker)