John Börjesson Plaster Sculpture Face, Swedish Sculptor, Late 19th Century

A rare and deeply evocative plaster sculpture by celebrated Swedish sculptor John Börjesson, depicting the serene face of a young woman in repose. Rich in atmosphere and sculptural sensitivity, the work possesses the romantic melancholy and poetic realism associated with Scandinavian sculpture at the turn of the century. Cast in plaster with a softly weathered verdigris-toned surface, the piece blurs the line between portrait fragment, death mask, architectural ornament, and studio study. The partially truncated form lends the sculpture a haunting modernity, feeling at once archaeological and intensely intimate. John Börjesson (1835–1910) remains one of Sweden’s most important sculptors of the late nineteenth century. Born in the province of Småland, he studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts before continuing his training in Copenhagen, Paris, and Rome. His public monuments and portrait sculptures can still be found throughout Sweden, including the monumental equestrian statue of King Karl X Gustav in Malmö’s Stortorget, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Unlike his grand civic works in bronze and stone, this plaster study reveals a more personal side of Börjesson’s artistic practice. The modeling is extraordinarily gentle, particularly around the eyes and mouth, where subtle asymmetries preserve the hand of the sculptor. The reverse remains hollow, emphasizing its nature as an artist’s studio object rather than a later decorative reproduction. Displayed on a wall, atop a bookshelf, or incorporated into a cabinet of curiosities, the sculpture carries the soulful presence of a forgotten fragment from a Scandinavian atelier. It would pair beautifully with antique plaster casts, bronze objects, Gustavian interiors, or the layered decorative sensibility associated with collectors such as John Derian. A compelling and unusual work for collectors of Scandinavian art, historic sculpture, and poetic decorative objects. Details Artist: John Börjesson Medium: Plaster Origin: Sweden Period: Late 19th century Dimensions: Height approx. 26 cm Condition: Minor surface wear and blemishes consistent with age