Helene Schjerfbeck

This previously unknown ink drawing by Helene Schjerfbeck was executed in 1879, when the artist was only 17 years old. Schjerfbeck has in an endearing way captured a skating moment and one can already in this work recognize her unique talent for composition. As a 4-year old Helene Schjerfbeck fell down the stairs, which caused a hip injury for life. This trauma is often occurring in her early works.

In the year 1880 she illustrated a poster for a skating competition in Helsinki and one can spot an almost similar picture as this drawing on the poster.

The work is monogram signed HS, which is only partly visible beneath the passpartout.

We thank art historian Leena Ahtola-Moorhouse for the attribution of this work.