This majestic portrait by Swedish artist Agnes Cleve (1876-1951) depicts Jan Bolinder wearing a blue shirt, grey jacket and red tie. He’s chiselled and exudes confidence.

Cleve was a fascinating artist and one of Sweden’s first modernists. Together with her husband, she associated with several artistic luminaries including Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944). Her expressive style was often too extreme for her homeland and it’s only in recent decades that her works have received the appropriate level of acclaim - with several selling for over £30,000 at auction. It’s been suggested that gender was also a factor for her lack of recognition.

This particular piece is a good example of her skill with portraits. She draws upon the sharp district forms of her abstracts to portray a man akin to a modernist sculpture. His chiselled features rest upon straight lines laid down with purpose. His semi-geometric figure oozes power and permanency. While his expression suggests a gentler side, an introversion. It’s genius.

Cleve studied at Carl Wilhemson’s painting school and also at the Académie de La Palette in Paris. She’s represented at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.

Signed/dated and framed.

Learn more about Agnes Cleve in our directory.

Medium: Oil on board
Overall size: 27” x 33” / 69cm x 84cm
Year of creation: 1943
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £72,567 achieved for an oil painting in 2012.
Our reference: BRV1067