Portrait of Helene Roederstein(The Painter’s Sister) by Ottilie W. Roederstein

Portrait of Helene Roederstein(The Painter’s Sister) 1890

oil, canvas

portrait

woman

16_19th-century

character portrait

wedding photograph

photo restoration

oil

culture event photography

character photography

canvas

surrealism

surrealist

portrait character photography

fine art portrait

celebrity portrait

Ottilie W. Roederstein's "Portrait of Helene Roederstein (The Painter’s Sister)" (1890) is a captivating oil-on-canvas portrait that showcases the artist's skill in capturing the likeness and grace of her own sister. The sitter is depicted in a fashionable dress adorned with white polka dots and a large, white hat, creating a visually striking contrast against the green background. The delicate features of Helene Roederstein, accentuated by the natural lighting, bring a sense of intimacy to the artwork. This portrait, now housed in the Städel Museum, is a testament to the artist's talent and the familial bond that inspired this powerful work.

Comments

stadelmuseum about 1 year ago

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Ottilie W. Roederstein’s younger sister Helene repeatedly sat for the painter, especially in the early parts of her career. This painting was created as a classic half-length portrait. However, the canvas was subsequently reduced in size so that the signature and date in the upper right corner are barely visible. The portrait is an outstanding example of Roederstein’s talent. Through the background’s simplicity and the dress’s looser depiction, the artist draws attention to the model’s detailed face as well as its gentle, dreamy expression. Roederstein limited the colouring to a few tones. Light green in all its nuances dominates the composition, while, for example, the white lace collar acts as an accentuation. By superimposing glazing and opaque layers of colour, she virtuously imitates the fabric’s transparency. The violet and pink blossoms that adorn the collar are only hinted at by Roederstein in a few sketchy brushstrokes. Stylistically, the painting belongs to Roederstein’s early work. In addition to French salon painting, the influence of her Parisian teachers Jean-Jacques Henner and Carolus Duran is particularly noticeable.