An early 20th-century portrait of a nonchalant man holding a cigar by Swedish painter, Tage Hansson (1889-1968). The simple, yet unusual, composition creates an interesting mood whereby the gentleman appears to be leaning on the right-hand side of the frame.

Hansson spent his career either studying or teaching others. He began his art education in Malmo but also studied in Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Paris. In 1927, following 20 years of learning, he became a teacher at the Skane Painting School in Malmo where he remained until 1965. It seems that he was succeeded at the School by his son Bengt who became a teacher in the same year.

The portrait is signed/dated in the lower left.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 30” x 38” / 76cm x 96cm
Year of creation: 1928 
Provenance: Sweden
Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some age-related wear.
Artist’s auction highlight: £3,399 achieved for a portrait at auction in 2021.