Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An exquisite portrait of a seated lady by Danish artist, Julius Paulsen (1860-1940). She sits across the chair, looking down with her right hand supporting her head. The brushwork is distinctive and full of intelligent expression. Note the lips - a mere daub of red, while the skin is fleshy and almost Rubenesque.

Julius Paulsen was a highly respected Danish artist who blended a wide range of influences to create skilfully poised, almost timeless, masterpieces.

He was born in Odense, the son of a shopkeeper, and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen - where he later became a professor. From early on, his significant skill was noted by his contemporaries, particularly with regards to his portraiture. He had an inordinate ability to capture a subject’s spirit with accuracy and expression.

His success was, in part, due to his ability to splice together approaches that were separated by centuries. He was inspired by the old masters, particularly Rembrandt, yet also by the emerging avant-garde.

During his time at the Academy, Paulsen studied a range of classically-inspired techniques - from the Renaissance and Baroque through to exquisite contemporary French salon painting. He must’ve found this particularly interesting as he was also associating with the Skagen School of painters, such as P.S. Kroyer (1851-1909), who were closely aligned with the French impressionists.

Imagine having the best of both worlds - to study the precision, symbolism, and drama of the old masters yet also paint alongside those seeking to challenge the status quo. Paulsen was blessed and he took it all in his stride. He brought the old and new together to create something altogether his own.

By the early 20th-century, his brushwork had evolved to become expressive, textured and gestural. His figures were particularly impressive and, at times, stylistically reminiscent of Rembrandt’s ‘A Woman Bathing In A Stream’. His admiration for the Dutch luminary was clear yet he introduced his own beautiful (modern) treatment of light.

In our opinion, Julius Paulsen remains one of the most underrated Danish painters of his generation. His respectful approach to the past brings sophistication to his desire to express a subject’s spirit.

Many works by Paulsen are held in Danish museums and his portrait of P.S. Kroyer currently hangs in Frederiksborg Palace.

The portrait is signed/dated in the upper right and housed within a gilt frame.

Medium: Oil on board

Overall size: 16” x 19½” / 41cm x 49cm

Year of creation: 1907

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.

Physical Dimensions

Height

49cm (19.29")

Width

41cm (16.14")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA869509

Description

“

Julius Paulsen was a highly respected Danish artist who blended a wide range of influences to create skilfully poised, almost timeless, masterpieces.

Brave Fine Art

fig 1. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

He was born in Odense, the son of a shopkeeper, and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen - where he later became a professor. From early on, his significant skill was noted by his contemporaries, particularly with regards to his portraiture. He had an inordinate ability to capture a subject’s spirit with accuracy and expression.

fig 2. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

His success was, in part, due to his ability to splice together approaches that were separated by centuries. He was inspired by the old masters, particularly Rembrandt, yet also by the emerging avant-garde.

fig 3. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 3. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

During his time at the Academy, Paulsen studied a range of classically-inspired techniques - from the Renaissance and Baroque through to exquisite contemporary French salon painting. He must’ve found this particularly interesting as he was also associating with the Skagen School of painters, such as P.S. Kroyer (1851-1909), who were closely aligned with the French impressionists.

fig 4. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 4. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

Imagine having the best of both worlds - to study the precision, symbolism, and drama of the old masters yet also paint alongside those seeking to challenge the status quo. Paulsen was blessed and he took it all in his stride. He brought the old and new together to create something altogether his own.

fig 5. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 5. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

By the early 20th-century, his brushwork had evolved to become expressive, textured and gestural. His figures were particularly impressive and, at times, stylistically reminiscent of Rembrandt’s ‘A Woman Bathing In A Stream’. His admiration for the Dutch luminary was clear yet he introduced his own beautiful (modern) treatment of light.

fig 6. Julius Paulsen, Portrait Of A Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting — fig 6. Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Seated Woman - Antique Oil Painting

In our opinion, Julius Paulsen remains one of the most underrated Danish painters of his generation. His respectful approach to the past brings sophistication to his desire to express a subject’s spirit.