Erik Werenskiold, Norwegian 1855-1938- Study... Lot 492

Erik Werenskiold, Norwegian 1855-1938- Study of a nude woman, seated half-length, with her arms crossed; red chalk on paper, signed with initials 'EW' (lower right), 46.5 x 32.7 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: Werenskiold was a painter and illustrator who was perhaps best known for the drawings that he created for the collection of 'Norwegian Folktales' by Peter Christen Asbøjrnsen (1812-1885) and Jørgen Moe (1813-1882), and for the Norwegian edition of Snorri Sturluson's (1179-1241) 'Heimskringla'. The present work exhibits Werenskiold's skill as a draughtsman, capturing a striking sense of the sitter's presence whilst also suggesting, to some extent, her absence, lost in thoughts which are a mystery to the viewer.