Peder Mønsted (Mönsted) (1859-1941) - Portrait of a Girl, 1887

Peder Mønsted (Mönsted) (1859-1941) Danish

Portrait of a Girl, 1887

oil on wood panel
signed and dated PMönsted 1887
unframed 27.5 x 19.5 cm (10.83 x 7.68 inches)
framed 39 x 30.5 cm (15.35 x 12.01 inches)

Condition:
The portrait has recently undergone restoration by our art conservator in Stockholm. The surface was full of old nicotine and varnish who was safely removed, along with some poorly executed previous retouching. As a result, the painting now presents a completely different appearance. The colors are vibrant, and the skin tones are more natural. A newly crafted frame is included.

Essay:
This painting titled "Portrait of a Girl" by the Danish realist painter Peder Mørk Mønsted captures an enigmatic young woman whose identity remains unknown. The girl, elegantly posed in profile, is adorned with jewelry that reflects the height of 1880s fashion. She wears a charm bracelet, inspired by Queen Victoria of England, who famously wore hers as a mourning piece after the death of Prince Albert in the 1860s. Each charm held a symbolic meaning—representing an event, place, or memory of a loved one. The bracelet is likely made of gold, a precious and fashionable material at the time.

Additionally, the girl wears two bangles on the same arm, a stylish choice for the portrait sitting, as it was more common to wear one on each arm. A large brooch adorns her neck, possibly a gold cameo made from seashell, although it's difficult to tell with certainty. On her finger, she wears a ring set with turquoise, a gemstone that was very popular at the time, adding another touch of fashionable elegance to the ensemble.

Her thoughtful expression and the graceful way she supports her head with her hand evoke a quiet sense of contemplation.

She is surrounded by lush green leaves, which adds a natural and organic contrast to her richly textured clothing and accessories. This balance between the softness of her features and the detailed background is a testament to Mønsted's skill in bringing lifelike realism to his subjects. Known primarily for his stunning landscapes, Portrait of a Girl showcases another dimension of Mønsted's artistic abilities — his ability to convey personality and depth in portraiture.

Although this piece departs from the snowy winter scenes and serene waters Mønsted is famous for, it reflects the same commitment to detail and realism, emphasizing his academic naturalist approach. The artist’s travels throughout Europe and his associations with influential artists have clearly informed his meticulous technique, as evidenced in the delicate rendering of the girl’s skin tone and the interplay of light across the surface.

This portrait is a rare opportunity to own a lesser-known, yet equally captivating, work by one of Denmark's foremost realist painters.