Artwork
Antti maalaa

Antti maalaa is a drawing by Venny Soldan-Brofeldt. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1913, *Antti maalaa* is an image by Finnish artist Venny Soldan‑Brofeldt. The work portrays a figure absorbed in the act of drawing, rendered with loose, expressive lines that emphasize concentration over detail. It exemplifies Soldan‑Brofeldt’s interest in everyday scenes and her ability to work across several media.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a young girl seated at a table, her ponytail and pencil suggesting a moment of focused creation. The presence of scattered papers and a small cup adds a domestic, study‑like atmosphere, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet intensity of personal artistic practice.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, unrefined strokes, the drawing relies on minimal shading and a fluid line quality. This approach aligns with Soldan‑Brofeldt’s broader tendency toward expressive simplicity, allowing the figure’s posture and gesture to convey the narrative without elaborate detail.
History & Provenance
Venny Soldan‑Brofeldt, a member of Finland’s Swedish‑speaking community, was active in painting, illustration, sculpture, and design during the early twentieth century. *Antti maalaa* reflects her multidisciplinary output and her engagement with quotidian subjects, characteristic of her work from the 1910s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Wendla Irene Soldan-Brofeldt, known as Venny (2 November 1863, Helsinki – 10 October 1945, Lohja) was a Finnish painter, illustrator, graphic artist, wood sculptor and jewelry designer.



















