Ernst Josephson: Girl in Blue (1880s) | Art Poster

An intimate Swedish portrait poster featuring a young girl in a blue-striped dress and a decorated straw hat. Ernst Josephson’s Girl in Blue from the 1880s combines a direct gaze with loose brushwork and fresh, luminous colour.

Printed locally on heavyweight matte paper. Typical delivery time: 2–5 business days.

• Swedish portrait by Ernst Josephson
• Painted during the 1880s
• Expressive brushwork in blue, grey and warm earth tones
• Original artwork painted in oil on wood
• Printed on 200 gsm matte quality paper
• Available in four sizes
• Frame not included

A direct and thoughtful gaze

The girl sits close to the picture plane and looks directly toward the viewer. Her expression is calm and observant, giving the small portrait an unusual sense of presence.

A broad straw hat frames her face. Dark blue ribbons and small flowers decorate the crown, while a black belt defines the pale blue dress. Josephson uses a few carefully placed details to suggest fabric, texture and character.

Loose brushwork and clear colour

The girl’s face is modelled with soft pink, cream and brown tones. Around it, the paint becomes freer. Blue and violet strokes run through the dress, while the background is built from visible marks in grey, green and ochre.

Several areas retain a sketchlike quality. The open brushwork gives the portrait energy and draws attention to the act of painting. Josephson keeps the eyes and facial expression precise while allowing the surroundings to remain fluid.

A small portrait from the 1880s

Girl in Blue measures only 33 × 26 cm and was painted in oil on a wooden panel. Its close composition makes the sitter appear almost life-sized within the narrow format.

The identity of the girl is not recorded on the museum page. Nationalmuseum classifies the work as both a child portrait and a portrait painting. The museum purchased it in 1936.

“He wanted to become Sweden’s Rembrandt.”

About Ernst Josephson

Ernst Abraham Josephson was born in Stockholm in 1851. He trained at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and continued his studies during travels through France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain.

Portraiture became central to his work. Josephson was interested in the personality and psychological presence of his sitters, and his paintings often combine careful observation with bold, increasingly independent brushwork. He was also a painter of folk scenes and subjects drawn from Nordic mythology.

Artwork details

Available sizes

A distinctive portrait for the home

The muted blues, warm skin tones and visible brushwork suit interiors with natural wood, linen and quiet neutral colours. The portrait works well in a bedroom, reading corner, hallway or as part of a gallery wall.

Explore more portraits and historic paintings in our Swedish art collection. Further details about the original can be found in Nationalmuseum’s collection database.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Girl in Blue?

The portrait was painted by the Swedish artist Ernst Josephson, who became known for portraits, scenes of everyday life and subjects from Nordic folklore.

Who is the girl in the portrait?

The sitter is identified by Nationalmuseum simply as a girl. Her name is not recorded in the museum’s public collection entry.

When was the portrait painted?

Nationalmuseum dates the artwork to the 1880s.

What material was used for the original?

The original was painted in oil on a wooden panel measuring 33 × 26 cm.

Where is the original artwork?

The painting belongs to Nationalmuseum in Stockholm and has inventory number NM 3121.

What paper is the poster printed on?

The poster is printed on heavyweight 200 gsm quality paper with a matte, non-reflective surface.

Is a frame included?

No. The frame is not included, allowing you to choose one that suits the poster and your interior.