Unknown

20th-Century Swedish School, Girl With Plant, Oil Painting

1945

This early 19th-century central European oil painting depicts Christ The Saviour standing atop an orb and carrying a cross over his left shoulder. An unusual composition, Christ’s rather striking posture is perhaps more ‘Saturday Night Fever’ than it is sacramental. However, the iconography is archaic and derived ultimately from New Testament illustrations dating to the Middle Ages. Depictions of orbs are usually symbolic of the universe, while the cross alludes to redemption. Hence, it’s a visual representation of Christ as the Saviour of humanity. Francisco de Zurbarán...

This early 20th-century oil painting by French artist Honoré Louis Umbricht (1860-1943) depicts Marguerite Grosjean (b. 1895), the daughter of law of Alexandre Grosjean, the mayor of Besançon. Umbricht was a distinguished painter of genre scenes, landscapes, stills and portraits. Born in the attractive city of Obernai, in the Alsace region of North-East France, he had inspiration at his fingertips. Distant mountains, picturesque valleys, the sparkling Ehn River, and sprawling rural plains - a veritable smorgasbord of views. He honed his draughtsmanship under the tuition of his uncle, ‘Hess’, and was soon offered a scholarship by the German government to study in Munich. He refused, however, and headed for Paris to train under the highly-regarded Léon Bonnat (1833-1922). Bonnat’s studio was synonymous with success and he encouraged his students to paint freely and with expression. His own portraits were influenced by the Spanish masters, such as Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), and he extolled the virtues of this style. Umbricht was in fine company as Bonnat also trained John Singer Sargent, P. S. Krøyer, Erik Werenskiold, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Gustave Caillebotte among others. Following his training, the Paris Salon beckoned and the young Umbricht’s debut came in 1880. By 1884, he’d been awarded his first medal and several more would follow including at the Chicago and London Exhibition and the prestigious Exposition Universelle (1900). He was subsequently knighted with the Cross of the Order of Leopold. Midway through his career, the critics were alive with praise describing his portraits as “full of mastery” and with “very true and harmonious” colouring. In 1911, the newspaper ‘Le Rappel...

This enchanting late 17th-century French oil painting depicts an elegant gentleman in a silk robe with his right index finger on an open book. Stylistically, it’s comparable to the oeuvre of Jacques d'Agar (1640-1715). Dressed in a rather ostentatious embroidered silk robe...

This charming late 19th-century oil painting by British artist Rowland Holyoake (1861-1928) depicts a girl carrying wildflowers while wearing a straw hat decorated with the same. It ...

Betsy Podlach (American, born 1964) "Self Portrait with Red Lips" 2021 Oil Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. About the Artist: Betsy Podlach ...

Portrait, figure, narrative, abstract. One of a series on unsung female heroism. Oil on canvas.

Portrait, narrative, abstract: one of a series. Oil paint, resin, and plaster of paris on canvas with artist's frame.

Portrait, figurative, narrative, abstract. Oil and Plaster of Paris on canvas.