An early 20th-century oil on canvas depicting a fierce-looking lady in profile by Olaf Simony Jensen (1864-1923).

This highly unusual piece is full of intrigue, story, and perhaps a little malice. We particularly love her clenched fists and determined expression. Could she be waiting for someone to return home? Let’s hope it ended well.

Jensen was an accomplished artist and tended to paint interior scenes with figures. This is the only painting we can find of its type and it’s interesting to consider why he chose to create it.

The painting is signed in the bottom left and housed within a frame that’s probably its original.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 22½” x 27” / 57cm x 69cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Provenance: Sweden
Condition: Very presentable with some minor paint loss. Frame with some light age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £4,000 achieved for ‘In The Cafe’ at Sotheby’s in 1989.