Sculpture

This sculptural portrait bust of General Harald Petri is cast in patinated bronze and mounted on a base of black Belgian marble. The work is unsigned or bears an unclear signature and is attributed to an unknown artist, likely of Scandinavian origin. The bust presents a highly expressive and naturalistic portrayal of Petri, emphasizing his age, character, and distinct physiognomy through textured and uneven surface treatment typical of post-Rodin academic realism.

The face of the bust is marked by a pronounced bone structure, deep-set eyes, and a furrowed brow, conveying a sense of both sternness and introspection. The surface of the bronze is finished with a dark green patina, applied in varying intensities that highlight the modeling of the face and enhance the play of light across the uneven surface. The contrast between the organic texture of the bronze and the polished, angular form of the marble base adds a formal tension, underscoring the sculpture’s dignity and solidity.

General Harald Petri was a notable Swedish military figure who served as General Inspector of Sweden at the World Exhibitions in Antwerp (1930) and Brussels (1935), representing Sweden in both cultural and diplomatic capacities. The choice to cast a portrait bust of Petri suggests a commemorative intent, likely created privately or on commission to honor his public service and his international representation of Swedish interests.

The rectangular base is crafted from polished black Belgian marble with white veining, providing a visual anchor to the sculpture while offering a material contrast to the dark patina of the bronze. This combination of materials was commonly used in Scandinavian and European bronze portraiture of the early to mid-20th century, particularly for formal or commemorative subjects.

The dimensions of the sculpture are 25 cm in width, 24 cm in depth, and 44 cm in height, which corresponds to approximately 9.8 inches wide, 9.4 inches deep, and 17.3 inches high.