AUGUST HAGBORG. Portrait of a singer.

Pencil, grey and black lavering, 35 x 33,1 cm. Signed Hagborg.

The portrait possibly depicts the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), whom Victor Hugo, author of Les Miserables, in 1872 gave the nickname “Voix d'or” (the golden voice) for her performance in his play Ruy Blas. In late May 1883, Bernhardt performed at the Kongl. Stora Theatern in Stockholm in Fedora. She also visited King Oscar II and received the medal Litteris et Artibus with royal crown in brilliants. During the summer she also performed in Malmö. Alongside her acting, Sarah Bernhardt also dabbled in painting and sculpture, exhibiting busts in bronze, marble and plaster. After completing his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in 1875, Hagborg traveled to Paris, which became his permanent residence until 1909, when he returned to Sweden. Like many other Swedish artists living in Paris, Hagborg often returned to Sweden during the summer months, which is why the portrait in question may have been created during Bernhardt's stay in Sweden in 1883.