It's always exciting to come across an artist completely unknown to oneself. Earlier in the year I experienced the paintings of Joaquin Sorolla at the National gallery and last week it was the turn of the Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck, on show at the Royal Academy until October 27th.

When you look at the work of Schjerfbeck you are made aware of a painter following her own course, always reinventing and constantly experimenting with different techniques.

Photograph of Helene Schjerfbeck by Charles Riis & Co

Helene Schjerfbeck, Self-Portrait, 1884-5

Helene Schjerfbeck, Self-Portrait with Red Spot, 1944

Helene Schjerfbeck, Fragment, 1904

Helene Schjerfbeck, Maria, 1906

Helene Schjerfbeck, Before Confirmation, 1891

Helene Schjerfbeck, My Mother, 1909