Artwork
Portrait of Frederik, Heir Presumptive
Portrait of Frederik, Heir Presumptive is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1767, this portrait presents a youthful figure positioned within an elaborately furnished interior.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1767, this portrait presents a youthful figure positioned within an elaborately furnished interior. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition centers on the sitter, whose posture and attire convey a sense of rank and formality, while the surrounding objects and lighting contribute to a balanced visual narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The individual portrayed is a young man dressed in a richly decorated coat with a high, standing collar, suggesting aristocratic status.
The individual portrayed is a young man dressed in a richly decorated coat with a high, standing collar, suggesting aristocratic status. His right arm is extended outward, and his left hand rests on a nearby table, indicating a poised, perhaps ceremonial demeanor. Elements such as the bust, drum, and large window hint at cultural or familial symbols associated with his position as heir presumptive.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing light to fall across the textured fabrics and the polished surfaces of the interior. Fine brushwork renders the intricate patterns on the coat, while broader strokes suggest the depth of the room. The overall effect aligns with late‑Baroque sensibilities, emphasizing realism and a subtle theatricality in the portrayal.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the artist known as 2088_person, the painting has remained in institutional care, eventually entering the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography. Documentation records its creation date as 1767, and the work has been referenced in the museum’s catalogues as an example of eighteenth‑century portraiture linked to noble lineage.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
