Who painted Grosserer Isaac Unna?

Grosserer Isaac Unna was painted by Unknown in 1750.

Where can I see Grosserer Isaac Unna?

Grosserer Isaac Unna is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Grosserer Isaac Unna

Grosserer Isaac Unna is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The portrait, titled Grosserer Isaac Unna, is a mid‑18th‑century image attributed to the artist catalogued as 1114_person. Executed around 1750, the work resides in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. It presents a monochrome likeness of a seated gentleman, rendered in a style typical of the period’s documentary portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is identified by the inscription as Isaac Unna, a merchant (grosserer) whose precise biographical details remain obscure. He is depicted with curly hair, round spectacles, and a composed yet solemn demeanor, suggesting a portrayal intended to convey respectability and professional stature within his commercial milieu.

Technique & Style

The image is a black‑and‑white photograph or early photographic reproduction, exhibiting the grainy texture and slight fading characteristic of 19th‑century photographic processes. The composition is straightforward: a plain dark backdrop isolates the figure, while his dark coat over a high‑collared light shirt emphasizes contrast and delineates form without decorative distraction.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the work entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it has been preserved as part of the institution’s visual documentation of historical figures. The museum’s catalogue lists the piece under the title Grosserer Isaac Unna, linking it to the broader collection of ethnographic portraiture.