Artwork
Onkija
Onkija is a photography by Venny Soldan-Brofeldt. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Järvenpää Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Onkija is a drawing executed around 1913 by Finnish artist Venny Soldan‑Brofeldt. The work presents a single figure rendered in a loose, side‑profile stance, captured with swift, gestural marks that give the piece an unfinished, sketch‑like quality.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a person dressed in a loosely draped tunic, hair gathered back, one hand clutching a small object while the other rests on the hip. The casual yet deliberate pose suggests a study of human movement rather than a narrative scene, emphasizing form over story.
Technique & Style
Soldan‑Brofeldt employed rapid, rough brushwork with a limited palette of pale beige and muted green. The emphasis on broad shapes and the economy of detail reflect a practice drawing approach, where the artist explores gesture and volume through simple, gestural strokes.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1913, Onkija belongs to a period when Soldan‑Brofeldt was engaged in exploratory figure studies. The work remains documented within the artist’s oeuvre, illustrating her interest in quick observational sketches that complement her more finished paintings.
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.
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