Forfatterinden Emma Kraft by Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann

Forfatterinden Emma Kraft 1834 - 1881

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facial expression drawing

character portrait

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portrait head and shoulder

animal drawing portrait

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facial study

facial portrait

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"Forfatterinden Emma Kraft" (1834-1881) is a portrait painting by Elisabeth Jerichau Baumann, a Danish artist known for her portraits of women. The painting depicts Emma Kraft, a Danish author, in a three-quarter length pose, her gaze directed to the viewer with a slightly reserved expression. She is wearing a dark dress with a fur-trimmed shawl, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. The painting, currently in the SMK – Statens Museum for Kunst, is a fine example of Baumann's realism and sensitivity in portraying her subjects. The detailed brushstrokes and subdued palette of the painting effectively capture the subtle nuances of Emma Kraft's personality.

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statensmuseumforkunst about 1 year ago

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ENGELSK Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann: The writer Emma Kraft, 1860s, oil on canvas, 119 x 86 cm, Statens Museum for Kunst, KMS3728. After arriving in Denmark in 1849, Jerichau-Baumann became one of the most sought after portrait painters. She portrayed several famous men and women of the era, among others the fairy tale writer H.C. Andersen (1805-75), the politician Orla Lehmann (1810-70) and the actress Johanne Luise Heiberg (1812-90). The portrait of the Danish writer Emma Kraft (1844-1925) is undated, but considering her date of birth and presumed age in the portrait, a qualified estimated dating of the painting would be around 1860-65. In all likelihood, it is a portrait of Emma Kraft in her youth, long before she made her debut as a writer in 1893. Kraft wrote books both for children and adult readers and worked as a translator. Especially her children’s books, such as Mellem Trolde [Among Trolls] illustrated by Louis Moe, are characterized as important contributions to Danish children’s literature. Within the portrait genre, the painting stands out through the convincing materiality in the rendering of the dress and fur as well as the delicate effects of Kraft’s luminous complexion against the golden, softly modulated background. The shimmering colour play in the dress is also captured strikingly, and the red colour running through the bandeau, earring, broche and lips are used to create a sense of liveliness and variation in the otherwise subdued colour scheme.