Albert Edelfelt
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"Ung kvinna i grått" (Young woman in grey)
Painted in Paris around 1878. Canvas laid down on panel 63 x 52 cm.
Provenance
Originally in the collections of curator Torsten Waenerberg (gift directly from the artist).
Thereafter in the collections of consul Victor Hoving.
Subsequently in the collections of professor Werner Söderhjelm.
The collections of Mrs Sigrid Söderhjelm, Helsinki (around 1942).
Beijers Fall auction 1986, lot no 265.
Private collection (purchased at the above sale by the present owner).
Exhibitions
Ateneum, Helsinki, "Realismi / Realismen", 1962, cat no 44.
Literature
Ord & Bild, 1935, sid 261.
Bertel Hintze, "Albert Edelfelt, Del I, 1854-1888", 1942, mentioned page 107 and illustrated full page, page 105 (under the title "Ung dam i grått").
Bertel Hintze, "Albert Edelfelt, Del III, Oljemålningar, pasteller, akvareller, grafiska arbeten m.m. Beskrivande förteckning", 1942, catalogued as nr 106, page 29 (under the title "Ung dam i grått").
More information
At the back of the painting it is written an authentification by Thorsten Waenerberg, curator and by Berta Edelfelt (the artist's sister). They explain that the signature is between the old and the new canvas and that it was painted in Paris approximately in 1880.
Designer
Albert Edelfelt is considered one of Finland's greatest artists of the 19th century. After studying in Antwerp and Paris, he settled in France, where he received several exhibition medals and was honored with the Legion of Honour, notably for the famous portrait of Pasteur. He was also summoned by Alexander III to St. Petersburg to portray the Tsar's children. Edelfelt often returned to themes from Finnish history, such as his illustrations for 'The Tales of Ensign Stål.'
Edelfelt's works display an artistic breadth that ranges from everyday life in the Finnish archipelago to prestigious society portraits and historical paintings. In his depictions of everyday life, he managed to merge traditional academic painting with the new techniques of plein air painting, which achieved great success in France. The painting 'The Funeral of a Child' was awarded a third-class medal at the annual Salon in Paris in 1880, marking the most significant international success for Finnish painting at the time.
Albert Edelfelt is primarily represented in Ateneum in Helsinki, but also in the National Museum in Stockholm, as well as museums in Copenhagen, Luxembourg, and Paris.
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