This early 20th-century portrait of a woman reading by Julius Paulsen combines a quiet moment of focus with an abundance of textured colour.

Here we see a young lady reading by a window - looking down with the book held a little forward to catch the light. Her skin tones are awash with various marks - intelligent daubs that are characteristically Paulsen’s. She's painted with a controlled sense of spirit yet the overall atmosphere is calm.

The portrait is signed/dated in the upper right. It was probably framed in 1960 when it was exhibited at the Aarhus Art Gallery alongside other Paulsen works. The reverse also features an exhibition label from 1928 when the painting was shown at Charlottenborg.

Learn more about Julius Paulsen in the artist directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 24” x 29” / 61cm x 74cm
Year of creation: c. 1928
Provenance: Denmark
Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £10,115 achieved for ‘Bal Tabarin’ at an auction in 2007.