Carl Fredrik von Breda

• Breda, Carl Fredrik von : Maria de Ron, née von Breda, 1785, 70 x 58, oil, canvas (S 96, Sinebrychoff) (28.8 kB)

Breda painted the portrait of his sister Maria in 1785 when he was 26 years old, and she 23. Maria von Breda married Jacob de Ron, who came from another Stockholm merchant family of Dutch origin. The portraits of Maria de Ron and her son Jean Martin stayed in the family until the 1890s. In 1906, they appeared at a Bukowski auction and Osvald Sirén, who saw the portraits, suggested that Sinebrychoff buy them. Paul Sinebrychoff was delighted and replied:

Of course, I have to get both Breda portraits. Carl Fredrik von Breda is my favourite Swedish painter... Bid as much as you have to so that I will get them no matter what.

Osvald Sirén bought the portraits for 3 500 crowns. When they arrived in Helsinki, Sinebrychoff was at first very disappointed. Maria had a hole in the shoulder, apparently caused during transportation and there was no sign of the signature mentioned in the auction list. Only after a few days was an unclear pencil mark found.

Breda has portrayed his sister in an unassuming, matter-of-fact way following the best traditions of Gustavian portraiture. The close relationship between the model and the painter inspired Breda to make a sensitive and striking interpretation. Maria is wearing a highly fashionable Amazon dress as she looks out in a sprightly fashion from under the wide brim of her straw hat. The brushwork is steady and exact. Breda's real tour de force works come in his later production.