This charming mid-20th-century oil painting by Swedish artist Gustaf Magnusson (1890-1957) depicts two female friends sitting at a table within a tastefully decorated interior. Magnusson was a celebrated painter and engraver, predominantly known for portraits and scenes.Dressed in blue and beige, she’s absorbed in her craft - occasionally glancing across the table towards a young lady in green. Her friend is reading, maybe engrossed in a novel or studying a paper ahead of an exam. The scene is rendered exceptionally well with careful attention to the various light effects - note the reflections from the chairs and the various folds in the outfits. The composition is a challenging one, yet delivered with finesse.Born in Stockholm, Magnusson was a respected contributor to the Swedish art scene. Following his schooling, he trained at the Royal Swedish Academy before heading further afield to broaden his experience. He studied next in Denmark, Norway, Germany and Italy to cap an ex...