Artwork
Young Lady at a clavier

Young Lady at a clavier is a gouache painting by Gustav von Mardefeld. It is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Young Lady at a clavier is a gouache painting by Gustav von Mardefeld, currently in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a young woman seated at a clavier, dressed in a blue gown adorned with white lace and a matching floral hairpiece. Her hands rest on the keys, and her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of quiet engagement.
Technique & Style
Executed in gouache, the work exhibits the medium's characteristic smoothness and vibrancy, with a deliberate contrast between the subject's brightly colored attire and the darker, more subdued background elements, including a red chair and an indistinct brown object.
History & Provenance
The painting's history prior to its acquisition by the Nationalmuseum is not detailed here, but it is now part of the museum's holdings.
Context
While specific contextual information about the painting's creation is lacking, it reflects late 19th- or early 20th-century artistic inclinations towards intimate, domestic scenes, often emphasizing the cultural significance of music.
Legacy
The legacy of 'Young Lady at a clavier' is closely tied to its artist, Gustav von Mardefeld, with interest in the work encouraging further exploration of his oeuvre and the broader use of gouache in similar periods and genres.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gustav von Mardefeld made delicate, small-scale paintings with gouache, often showing people in quiet moments.










