A charming turn of the century drawing depicting a loving embrace by Swedish artist, Gerda Tiren (1858-1928). It was almost certainly designed as a book illustration.

How do you read the piece? Is it a loving embrace between husband and wife? Or is the gentleman her father? Is she relieved or saddened?

The drawing was created in ink with a pencil underdrawing and heightened in watercolour and probably gouache. It’s housed within a glazed frame and has a later inscription on the reverse from a family member.

Learn more about Gerda Tiren in our directory.

Medium: Pencil and ink drawing with watercolour and gouache
Overall size: 8” x 11½” / 20cm x 29cm
Year of creation: c. 1900
Provenance: Sweden
Condition: Slight browning of the paper. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £7,300 achieved for an interior scene (Watercolour) at Christie’s 1989.