Gustaf Brandelius (1833 - 1884) - A Young Woman With Her Animals

Gustaf Brandelius (1833 - 1884, Swedish)

A Young Woman With Her Animals

oil on canvas 
signed G.Brandelius dated on the canvas stretcher 1862 
unframed 9.45 x 12.6 inches (24 x 32 cm) 
framed 13.78 x 16.93 inches (35 x 43 cm)  

Provenance:  
A Swedish private collection.

Essay:
This painting by Gustaf Brandelius, a 19th-century Swedish artist, evokes the pastoral tranquility and rural life of the era. Brandelius was not only a painter but also served in the military, rising to the rank of captain before his resignation.  The scene depicted is serene and typical of his genre works, showcasing his skill in animal motifs, which sometimes extend into landscape painting. In this particular piece, we observe a young woman tending to a cow, with a rural backdrop suggesting a farmstead or village life. The vivid colors and dynamic brushwork reflect Brandelius's talent for imbuing his subjects with a sense of character and humor. His works are well-regarded for their spirited execution and robust color palette.  Educated at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts, Brandelius furthered his studies in Düsseldorf under Carl d'Unker and in Paris. His accomplishments in the art world were recognized with several honors, including being made an agré of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts in 1864 and later a member and court painter in 1874.  Brandelius's work was internationally recognized, represented at the 1876 art exhibition in Philadelphia with the painting "Adventure on a Walk." Posthumously, a commemorative exhibition in Stockholm in 1888 celebrated his contributions to art. Today, his works are held in prestigious collections, including those of Uppsala University Library, Västergötlands Museum, Gothenburg Museum of Art, Norrköping's Art Museum, and the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.