Artwork
Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman is an oil painting by Alvar Cawén. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of a Woman is a 1915 oil painting by Finnish artist Alvar Cawén, featuring a seated female subject. The work is part of the collection at the Ateneum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a woman with short brown hair, dressed in a dark-colored dress, her right hand gently touching her hair as she gazes to the left. Her expression and the overall composition convey a sense of introspection.
Technique & Style
Cawén employed oil paint to create a striking contrast between the subject and the dark, blurred background, emphasizing the woman's presence. The style highlights the subject's contours and texture, set against a subdued, non-descript space.
History & Provenance
Created in 1915, the portrait is currently housed at the Ateneum, a prominent Finnish art museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alvar Cawén painted scenes of everyday Finnish life in the early 1900s. His brush captured quiet moments at home and familiar faces, like *Poikaa pestään* (a child being washed) or *Toipilas* (a person recovering).…
