Wilhelm Julien Wils (1880-1960)
Denmark
Circa 1930
24″ x 19 1/2″ (31″ x 26″ in frame)

During the first decade of the 20th Century, after exploring photography, Wilhelm Julien Wils studied painting under Frede Aamodt and Kristian Zahrtmann in Denmark. At this time, he was exposed to the works of Toulouse-Lautrec and Edvard Munch. Lautrec was a particular inspiration to Wils. Like the French painter, Wils was interested in class structure and he often depicted night cafés, theaters, and Copenhagen street scenes. He is also known for his portraiture, such as this painting of a woman dressed in a fanciful bow, in vivid tones of pink and blue.

Wils worked primarily in Denmark but also exhibited in France, Germany and Italy. A number of his paintings are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Denmark.