Irma Stern (1894-1966) Portrait of a woman, 1945

Irma Stern (1894-1966)Portrait of a woman, 1945

Irma Stern (1894–1966) | South Africa
Oil on canvas

Signed: upper left “Irma Stern 1945.”

Dimensions:
Framed: 95 × 70 cm | 37.4 × 27.5 in
Artwork: 78 × 58 cm | 30.7 × 22.8 in

Provenance:
Private Collection, Berlin, Germany.

Condition:
Good vintage condition with some signs of wear. Framed.

Shipping:
Aurora & Athena does not ship in-house but assists buyers in arranging shipping with trusted providers. Coordination starts after full payment, with all costs and risks on the buyer.
Estimated delivery: Within the EU: 3–7 days | Outside the EU: Approx. 2–4 weeks (destination-dependent).

Conditions of Sale:
All lots are sold as is. See Section 4 of our Terms and Conditions for return policy.
All inquiries must be made prior to bidding, as no further details can be provided after the sale.

By placing a bid, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms and Conditions in full.

--

Signed: upper left “Irma Stern 1945.”

Irma Stern’s Portrait of a Woman (1945) reflects her profound sensitivity to character, colour, and humanity. The sitter’s face emerges through a network of vibrant brushstrokes, her gaze poised between strength and introspection. Stern’s palette radiates with earthy reds, verdant greens, and warm golds — colours that embody both the African landscape and the emotional depth of her subjects.

Painted during one of the artist’s most accomplished periods, the portrait exemplifies Stern’s synthesis of European modernism with a deeply personal and authentic vision of Africa. The thick impasto, rhythmic contours, and subtle distortions of form are signatures of her expressive language — one that transcends realism to reveal inner vitality and psychological nuance.

Portrait of a Woman is more than likeness; it is encounter. Stern transforms portraiture into an act of empathy and revelation — a dialogue between artist and subject suffused with warmth, dignity, and timeless poetic force.