Portrait of a Lady, undated

The portraits created by Broncia Koller-Pinell (1863–1934) are characterized by a formal stringency and a reduction to essentials. The undated work Portrait of a Lady exudes a sense of distance and melancholy. The lower half of the canvas is taken up by the dark, modern reform dress. The light skin of the face and neckline is further accentuated by the black hair and dark eyes. The head slightly inclined to the side, her gaze is wistful and pensive. The background shows a yellow wallpaper or wall covering featuring birds and colorful animals. Such patterns were popular with the artists of the Wiener Werkstätte. Despite this colorfulness, the proximity to New Objectivity is tangible in this depiction – a style that Koller-Pinell explored from 1921. In 1924, aged 61, Koller-Pinell started to take lessons from the 24-year-old Erika Giovanna -Klien (1900–1957).

EF, 2021