Artwork
Pallolla leikkivät tytöt (Leikkiviä lapsia)
Pallolla leikkivät tytöt (Leikkiviä lapsia) 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
The work measures roughly a typical canvas size for the period and remains a representative example of Soldan‑Brofeldt’s early twentieth‑century output.
Pallolla leikkivät tytöt (Leikkiviä lapsia) is an oil painting executed around 1913 by Finnish artist Venny Soldan‑Brofeldt. The composition captures a group of young girls at play beside a tranquil lake, set against a softly illuminated evening sky. The work measures roughly a typical canvas size for the period and remains a representative example of Soldan‑Brofeldt’s early twentieth‑century output.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts several children in light, flowing garments—white, pink, and lavender—engaged in spontaneous activity. One figure stretches her arm upward, suggesting a gesture toward the sky, while the others dance or sit near the water’s edge. The setting evokes a carefree, pastoral atmosphere, emphasizing themes of innocence, leisure, and the fleeting nature of childhood moments.
Technique & Style
Soldan‑Brofeldt employs a loose, sketch‑like brushwork that conveys movement and immediacy. The palette features bright yet slightly muted hues, lending the image a dreamlike quality. Atmospheric effects are achieved through soft transitions in the sunset sky and the reflective surface of the lake, while the figures retain a sense of spontaneity rather than precise detailing.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1913, the painting belongs to the period when Soldan‑Brofeldt was active in Helsinki’s artistic circles. Although specific ownership records are limited, the work has been documented in catalogues of the artist’s oeuvre and has appeared in exhibitions highlighting early Finnish modernism.
Context
The early 1910s in Finland saw a growing interest in depicting everyday life and national landscapes, often with an emphasis on light and atmosphere. Soldan‑Brofeldt’s focus on children at play aligns with contemporary trends that celebrated rural leisure and the natural environment as symbols of cultural identity.
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.
