Yngve Bäck (1904–1990) – Colour and Form in Focus

Vaasa-born Yngve Veli Päiviö Bäck is renown in Finnish art as a significant colourist, whose colourful paintings beam with the joy of life. Debuting in 1928 in Helsinki, Bäck stood out with his works as a bold user of colours and applier of new trends during a time when realism and dark-toned expressionism predominated the Finnish art.

Bäck studied at the Finnish Art Society art school and the University of Helsinki Art Room from 1923 to 1925. Afterwards he moved to Paris where he studied at the École des Métiers d’Art from 1957 to 1958. French influences can indeed be noticed in Bäck’s art inspired by the 1930s post-impressionist movements. Bäck was inspired by the works of for example Pierre Bonnard, Edóuard Vuillard and Henri Matisse.

From 1941 to 1944 Bäck worked as a teacher in the Free Art School. In 1956 he took part in establishing the Prisma-artist group focusing on colour art and the structure of the form. Other members of the artist group included for example Ragnar Ekelund, Sigrid Schauman, Sam Vanni and Unto Pusa. Bäck was granted the Pro Finlandia-medal in 1960.

The earliest work of the Yngve Bäck theme auction is from 1935, and the others represent the artist’s works from different decades up till year 1985. Most of the works originate from artist’s own collection. The vibrantly coloured works portray various themes including bustling cities, people, nature scenery, and the sun of Southern France, under which Bäck worked during the winter seasons. While the works appear as abstract, they slowly reveal figurative elements as well, which brings a fascinating layer to Bäck’s works.