Artwork

Studie af en ung pige

Studie af en ung pige, by Unknown, 1876
Studie af en ung pige, by Unknown, 1876

Studie af en ung pige is a photography by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

‘Studie af en ung pige’ is a monochrome portrait executed in 1876 by the artist recorded as 239_person. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a young woman rendered in a straightforward, unembellished manner, emphasizing the sitter’s face and hair against an unadorned backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a youthful female figure with her hair gathered back, gazing directly at the viewer with a composed, neutral expression. The plain background eliminates contextual clues, directing attention to the sitter’s demeanor and suggesting an interest in capturing a moment of personal presence rather than narrative content.

Technique & Style

Rendered in black and white, the drawing employs a loose, sketch‑like approach that conveys form with minimal line work. The faint, handwritten signature in the corner indicates a quick, perhaps preparatory study. The overall handling aligns with realist tendencies, favoring direct observation over decorative elaboration.

History & Provenance

Created in the late nineteenth century, the piece entered the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition is not documented in the available record, and the artist’s identity is listed only by a catalog number rather than a conventional name.

Context

The work belongs to a period when realist portraiture sought to depict subjects with fidelity and immediacy. Its stark composition and emphasis on the sitter’s facial features reflect contemporary interests in ethnographic documentation and the study of individual physiognomy, themes common in museum collections of the era.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known