Emma Ekwall - Portrait of a Young Boy Seen from Behind
Prix régulier 33 551 krEmma Ekwall (1838-1925) Sweden
Portrait of a Young Boy Seen from Behind
oil on canvas mounted on board
signed E.E.
unframed 24.5 x 31 cm (9 ⅝ × 12 ¼ in)
framed 35 × 41 cm (13 ¾ × 16 ⅛ in)
This intimate oil painting presents a young boy viewed from a three-quarter rear angle, caught in a quiet, reflective moment. The child’s back is turned gently toward the viewer, rendered in warm earth tones with soft, textured brushwork. Emma Ekwall’s attention to detail from the tousled hair and rustic clothing to the delicate fall of light across the figure evokes a serene atmosphere and a deep sense of tenderness. The boy’s posture, turned away, invites curiosity: What has caught his attention? What thoughts fill his silence? The scene captures the timeless innocence of childhood with grace and restraint.
Emma Ekwall – A Pioneering Academic Artist
Emma Amalia Ekwall (1838–1925) was a groundbreaking figure in Swedish art. In 1871, she became the first woman to receive the Royal Medal from the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, a remarkable milestone during a time when female artists were rare in academic circles. Her training continued in Munich and Leipzig, where she absorbed European realist traditions before establishing herself in Sweden as a professional artist.
Ekwall became especially known for her portrayals of children, domestic scenes, and everyday quietude, all rendered with technical precision and emotional warmth. Her success helped pave the way for future generations of women artists in Scandinavia. She is today recognized not only for her artistic quality, but also for her contribution to art history as a female pioneer in the academic sphere.
Ekwall’s painting style merges academic realism with a personal, sentimental touch. The handling of light, form, and fabric in this painting reflects her formal training, while the subject matter – a quiet, solitary child – reflects her innate sensitivity to the inner worlds of her figures.
The muted palette and absence of distracting detail help center the composition entirely on the boy. His slumped shoulders and calm bearing convey a gentle introspection. The viewer is made to feel present but invisible, sharing a silent moment without intruding on it. This restrained narrative and emotional resonance are hallmarks of Ekwall’s finest works.
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