This charming early 18th-century Swedish oil painting depicts a gentleman wearing a brown three-piece suit, white linen shirt, cloak and sword. It’s compatible in style with the works of Amalia Von Königsmarck (1663-1740).
Finely attired, according to the expectations of the 1730s, he adopts a confident stance and carries the appearance of an influential man of means. His elegant suit is skillfully tailored and accessorised with an obligatory powdered wig and sword.
During this period, any self-respecting nobleman would don a wig, styled in the latest fashion. To ignore this societal requirement, would convey eccentricity, or worse, poverty. They were the source of much consternation, as the finest were made of human hair - but with questionable origins. Advertisements, such as this from the late 1730s, promoted their offerings while also seeking fresh raw materials.
“Curiously made after the most exact and best manner, by William Hills, at the Rose in St George’s, Canterbury, all sorts of perukes, clergymens bobs, spencer wigs, bag wigs, and natural wigs, sold at reasonable rates, for ready money. Also ready money for good hair.” As a result, often the hair was derived from corpses, prostitutes or villains.
For further examples of similar clothing from the period, please see William Hogarth’s ‘Portrait Of A Family’, circa 1735.
Amalia von Königsmarck was a painter, actor and poet, who was trained by court artist, David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. Her oeuvre contains several stylistically comparable works including a self-portrait.
It’s likely that the artist of our piece worked within her circle and was perhaps also trained by Ehrenstrahl.
Held in a later gilt frame.
View a high resolution image.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 14½” x 19” / 37cm x 48cm
Year of creation: c. 1735
Provenance: Family estate, Vellinge, Skåne, Sweden (for over 100 years).
Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Later stretcher. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.
Our reference: BRV1966
