Artwork
dokument, adress, painting

dokument, adress, painting is a paint painting by Olle Hjortzberg. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the ethnographic museum. The work is a small painted portrait dated 17 January 1909, originally published in the Swedish society journal Sällskap Idun.
About this work
Overview
The work is a small painted portrait dated 17 January 1909, originally published in the Swedish society journal Sällskap Idun. It depicts a figure with a pallid, blue‑toned complexion, rendered with pronounced modeling that gives the impression of three‑dimensional form. The surface shows areas of thick, paste‑like paint, and the piece bears minor damage on its lower edge.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a solitary head, its skin rendered in an unusual blue hue that emphasizes the play of light across the facial planes. The subtle gradations of tone suggest a focus on the inner character of the sitter, inviting contemplation of identity through an almost abstracted color scheme.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a layered application, building up pigment to achieve a tactile surface where the paint stands out in relief. Shadows are introduced by a distinct method that creates recessed zones, reminiscent of chiaroscuro effects used by earlier masters, yet the overall palette remains restrained to cool blues and muted tones.
History & Provenance
Created for a 1909 issue of Sällskap Idun, the painting was executed by Olle Hjortsberg, a Swedish illustrator active in the early twentieth century. The recessed modeling was added by G. Hedberg, a collaborator noted for his technical contributions. The work has survived with slight damage, likely from handling over the past century.
Context
The portrait emerges from a period in Swedish visual culture where experimental color use intersected with traditional portraiture. Its blue skin tone reflects contemporary interests in symbolism and the exploration of non‑naturalistic hues to convey psychological depth, aligning it with broader European avant‑garde tendencies of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Olle Hjortzberg kept a tiny studio above a bicycle shop in Stockholm, where he painted in his spare time while working full days as a postal clerk.










