Retrato de Gothilda Furstenberg watercolour 1891 Carl Larsson (1853-1919)

The watercolor presents a seated woman within what appears to be a well-appointed domestic interior. She occupies the central position, posed in a chair with her hands clasped before her. Her attire is formal – a dark, high-necked dress draped with an embroidered shawl – suggesting a person of considerable social standing. The sitter’s expression is one of quiet dignity; her gaze directed slightly off to the side, conveying a sense of introspection or perhaps polite reserve.
The composition is structured around a triangular arrangement, with the woman forming the apex and the table and chair legs creating the base. This lends stability and formality to the scene. The artist has employed a muted palette dominated by dark greens, browns, and blacks, punctuated by touches of color in the floral arrangement on the table. The watercolor technique is evident in the loose brushwork and subtle gradations of tone, which contribute to an overall impression of softness and intimacy.
To the woman’s left, a table holds a vase overflowing with flowers – a traditional symbol of beauty, abundance, and perhaps even transience. Scattered around the base of the vase are several pieces of fruit, adding another layer of symbolic richness. A small dog rests at her feet, its posture suggesting loyalty and companionship. The presence of the animal introduces an element of warmth and domesticity that contrasts with the formality of the woman’s pose and attire.
The background is deliberately blurred, focusing attention on the sitter and creating a sense of depth within the room. A glimpse of other furniture – a chair and what appears to be a large mirror – hints at the scale and opulence of the setting. The floorboards are rendered with careful detail, contributing to the overall realism of the depiction.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of status, domesticity, and perhaps even aging. The woman’s formal dress and dignified posture suggest a position of authority and respect within her social circle. The presence of the dog and flowers evokes feelings of comfort and belonging. Yet, there is also an underlying sense of melancholy or quiet contemplation in her expression, hinting at the passage of time and the complexities of life. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and understated emotional depth.