Who painted Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786)?

Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786) was painted by Unknown in 1737.

Where can I see Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786)?

Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786) is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786)?

Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786)

Unknown , 1737

Portrait of Count Jørgen Scheel (1721-1786) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1737 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work is a painted portrait executed in 1737 that depicts Count Jørgen Scheel (1721–1786).

About this work

Overview

The work is a painted portrait executed in 1737 that depicts Count Jørgen Scheel (1721–1786). The canvas presents the nobleman in a formal pose, emphasizing his status through attire and composure. Currently the painting is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among other eighteenth‑century portraits.

Subject & Meaning

Count Scheel is shown wearing a dark, polished suit of armor that covers his torso and left arm, a visual cue to his military rank and aristocratic authority. A neatly arranged white wig frames his face, while his sober expression conveys the dignified bearing expected of a man of his rank during the period.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a stark contrast between the illuminated figure and a deep, featureless background, a compositional device reminiscent of chiaroscuro that heightens the three‑dimensionality of the armor and the sitter’s features. The rendering of metal surfaces shows careful attention to light reflections, while the smooth brushwork on the wig and skin underscores the portrait’s refined finish.

History & Provenance

Created in the late Baroque era, the portrait remained in the Scheel family before entering public ownership. It was acquired by the Museum of Ethnography, where it has been conserved and displayed as an example of Danish noble portraiture from the early eighteenth century.