Artwork
Regina. Roman Girl with Choral Necklace and Earrings
Regina. Roman Girl with Choral Necklace and Earrings is an oil painting by Olof Johan Södermark. It dates from 1834 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1834 by Olof Johan Södermark, a Swedish officer who later pursued a career in the visual arts, this oil painting portrays a young woman dressed in a stylised Roman costume. The work is part of the Nationalmuseum’s collection in Stockholm and exemplifies Södermark’s interest in classical themes.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown with dark hair gathered under a gold headband, wearing an off‑shoulder white garment and a vivid red choral necklace with matching earrings. Her neutral expression and sideways gaze suggest a calm, timeless presence, inviting viewers to contemplate the idealised beauty of antiquity rather than a specific narrative.
Technique & Style
Södermark employs chiaroscuro, contrasting the illuminated figure against a muted dark‑gray backdrop to model volume and depth. The smooth handling of oil paint renders the fabric’s sheen and the metallic gleam of the jewelry, while the restrained palette underscores the composition’s simplicity.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the portrait entered the holdings of Sweden’s Nationalmuseum, where it remains on display. Södermark’s artistic output also included graphic work and sculpture, and his son Per Södermark later achieved recognition as a painter and lithographer, continuing the family’s artistic legacy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Olof Johan Södermark (11 March 1790 – 15 October 1848) was a Swedish military officer, painter, graphic artist and sculptor. His son, Per Södermark, was also a well-known painter and lithographer.
