Albert Edelfelt
"Ung kvinna i grått" (Young woman in grey)
Painted in Paris around 1878. Oil on canvas laid down on panel 63 x 52 cm.
Provenance
Originally in the collections of Curator Torsten Waenerberg (as a gift directly from the artist); the collections of Consul Victor Hovings; the collections of Professor Werner Söderhjelm; the collections of Mrs Sigrid Söderhjelm, Helsinki (around 1942); Beijers Auktioner, Stockholm, Sale 14, "Beijers Klassiska Höstauktion", November 19 1986, lot 265 (illustrated full page in colour, Pl. 43, in the catalogue); private collection (acquired at the above mentioned sale); Bukowski Auktioner AB, Stockholm, Sale 562, "Vårens Klassiska", June 14 2011, lot 214; private collection (acquired at the above mentioned sale).
Exhibitions
Ateneum, Helsinki, "Realismi / Realismen", 1962, no. 44.
Literature
Ord & Bild, 1935, p. 261; Bertel Hintze, "Albert Edelfelt, Del I, 1854-1888", 1942, mentioned p. 107 and illustrated full page, p. 105 (under the title "Ung dam i grått"); Bertel Hintze, "Albert Edelfelt, Del III, Oljemålningar, pasteller, akvareller, grafiska arbeten m.m. Beskrivande förteckning", 1942, listed p. 29, no. 106 (under the title "Ung dam i grått").
More information
Verso authenticated by Curator of Fine Arts Thorsten Waenerberg and Berta Edelfelt (the artist's sister). They also explain that the signature is between the old and the new canvas and that it was painted in Paris around 1880.
Artist
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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