In the auction's work, Sörensen attempts to express the anguish of war, symbolised by the two people huddled together, barely clothed and protected by the sparse fir trees. The colouring is muted in contrast to the white figures. However, it was not the actual fear of war that he sought to depict, it was its psychological impact on people.

Henrik Sörensen became an early central figure among Matisse's students in the 1910s, and in Norway he eventually assumed an important position in art and cultural life.

He was born in Värmland, Sweden but grew up in Norway. At the age of 12, he moved with his family to Lilleström in Norway. He made his debut at an early age and in 1908 came to Matisse in Paris where he created the painting 'Svartbekken', considered the first expressionist painting in Norway.

During the Second World War, he returned to his homeland where the emotional side of his work took over, strongly influenced by the psychological currents and experiences of the war.

"Menneskefuglene" was executed by Henrik Sörensen in three versions, the present painting and "Menneskefuglene II /"Ensomme" also in the collection of Conrad Pineus, as well as a study for the present painting originally in the collection of architect Arvid Bjerke, Bellmansgatan, Stockholm, previously sold by Bukowskis in the collection of the Andersson family in autumn 2012.