“Stop for a moment and meet the direct gaze of this young woman in a striking green blouse. This 1942 portrait offers a quiet moment of connection during a turbulent time, inviting you to reflect on resilience and inner strength.”
A young woman in a vibrant green blouse gazes out at us, her expression a mix of introspection and quiet confidence. Painted in 1942, this portrait captures a moment of wartime resilience, with a directness that feels both personal and universal. The artist uses a subdued palette for her surroundings, allowing the rich green of the blouse and the sitter's warm skin tones to truly stand out. The brushwork, while not overtly expressive, lends a softness to the contours of her face and the folds of her clothing, inviting a closer look at the subtle details. This work, created by Birgit Cullberg in the same year she married actor Anders Ek, offers a glimpse into a private world during a tumultuous period, emphasizing human connection and quiet strength.
- Artist
- Birgit Cullberg
- Date
- 1942
- Location
- Bolton Museum
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.
The way the green blouse catches the light, creating subtle shifts in tone.
The delicate rendering of the sitter's hair, falling softly around her face.
The subtle blush on her cheeks, adding a touch of warmth and life.
Her direct gaze, engaging the viewer with a sense of calm composure.
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Birgit Cullberg
1908–1999 · SwedenBirgit Cullberg, a pioneering Swedish choreographer, founded the internationally renowned Cullberg Ballet in the 1960s.
Further Works by Cullberg
More works to explore
Beyond Cullberg: works from the same years.
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Greyed Rainbow
Jackson Pollock · 1953 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Sun Spot
Yayoi Kusama · 1953 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Deux personnages
Pierre Alechinsky · 1950
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Nighthawks
Okada Saburosuke · 1942 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Picture of Dorian Gray
Ivan Puni · 1943 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
The Indestructibles
Philip Evergood · 1946 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Red No. 2
Sam Francis · 1954 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Achrome
Piero Manzoni · 1957 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Straße mit Passanten bei Nachtbeleuchtung
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1927 · Museum Frieder Burda
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Freedom from Want
Norman Rockwell · 1943 · Norman Rockwell Museum
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Untitled (Woman-Bottle)
René Magritte · 1943 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1920s–1950s
Dancing Girl
Paul Klee · 1940 · Art Institute of Chicago