Balthasar Denner was an eminent German artist predominantly known for highly detailed half-length portraits and head studies. He was inspired by the 17th-century masters of the Dutch Golden Age and trained at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin. His works are held in numerous public collections including at Tate Britain, the British Museum, the Royal Collection Trust, National Portrait Gallery, V&A and the Rijksmuseum.

Public Collections

Tate Britain, Royal Collection Trust, British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, V&A, Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, National Gallery of Art in Washington, Harvard Art Museums, National Gallery of Canada, Auckland Art Gallery, Baltimore Museum of Art, Bodleian Libraries, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, The State Hermitage Museum, University of Oxford, Madingley Hall, University of Cambridge, National Trust, Belton House, National Trust, Knole, The Bowes Museum, National Trust, Fenton House, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest, Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, National Museum of Norway.

Timeline

1685

Born in Altona, Hamburg, Germany. At the time, Altona was part of the Danish kingdom. His father, Jacob Denner, was a Mennonite minister and a dyer. His mother was Catharina Denner (nee Wiebe).

C. 1693

A fall caused him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life. During his long and laborious convalescence, he developed his drawing technique by copying works by the Dutch masters, such as Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem (1620-1683) and Abraham Bloemaert (1566-1651).

Trained under Dutch artist, Frans van Amama.

1696/8

Moved to Danzig with his family.

Worked as a clerk for his uncle.

1707/8

Enrolled at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin.

1709

Highly regarded as a miniaturist, he produced a portrait of nine-year-old Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, and his sister.

Painted a group portrait of the Ducal family at Gottorp Castle. Included himself in the background.

1712

Married Esther Winter.

1713

Moved back to Hamburg during the Great Nordic War.

1714/5

Travelled to Amsterdam.

1715

Travelled to London.

1717

Travelled to Copenhagen.

1718

Travelled to Hanover.

1720

Travelled to Wolfenbüttel and Hanover, Germany.

1721

Travelled to London where his exquisite portrait of an old woman was met with much praise and excitement. It was sent to Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor and Denner was paid 5875 guilders.

1725

Commissioned to paint a companion piece (an old man) for his famous portrait of an old woman.

1728

Moved to Hamburg due to the overwhelming smog in London.

1729

Travelled to the court in Blankenburg am Harz en Dresden.
Travelled to Berlin.

1730

Travelled to Amsterdam.

1734

Travelled to Braunschweig and Salzdahlum.
Rented a property in Amsterdam.
Commissioned by Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg in Schwerin.

1736

Moved to Amsterdam.

1739

Left Amsterdam.

1743

Produced a portrait of Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden.

1745

Lived in Altona.

1749

Died in Rostock, Germany.