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Gerda Christoffersen Original Pastel Indigenous Child Portrait, Framed, 18.1 x 22 Inches, Vintage

Currency:CAD Category:First Nations Art Start Price:10.00 CAD
Gerda Christoffersen Original Pastel Indigenous Child Portrait, Framed, 18.1 x 22 Inches, Vintage
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This item SOLD at 2026 Sep 22 @ 12:23UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
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Original pastel portrait by Gerda Christoffersen (1917-2012) depicting a young Indigenous child. The work displays the softly modeled features, muted coloration and intimate portrait format associated with Christoffersen's depictions of Indigenous subjects. Presented in a rustic, weathered wooden frame measuring approximately 18.1 x 22 inches overall.

Gerda Christoffersen was a Danish-born artist who spent much of her life in Canada and the United States. Contemporary biographical material associated with her work states that she studied Indigenous cultures in North America and studied anatomy with British-born Canadian artist H. G. Glyde. She became particularly associated with portraits of Indigenous children, developing what promotional material for her work called her distinctive "Papoose Paintings." Her portraits were being sold at Glacier National Park by the early 1950s, and she produced a series of covers for Maryknoll Magazine in 1956 depicting children from around the world.

Christoffersen continued to be associated with Canada throughout her life. Her 2012 obituary identifies her as an acclaimed artist from Denmark and records her death on July 14, 2012, with a memorial held in Vancouver. Her work remains represented in the secondary auction market, particularly by pastels and works on paper. Documented auction examples include portraits of children and Indigenous subjects, including a signed and dated 1953 pastel titled Alex Yellowbird - Hobbema, Alberta.

The present work has been identified by the consignor as an original Gerda Christoffersen pastel, rather than one of the prints or later reproductions of her imagery also encountered on the secondary market.

Artist: Gerda Christoffersen (1917-2012)
Origin: Danish-born, active in Canada & United States
Type: Original portrait
Subject: Young Indigenous child
Medium: Pastel
Dimensions: 18.1 x 22 in. overall
Presentation: Framed
Frame: Rustic weathered wood
Condition: As pictured