Artwork
Rigsadmiral Ove Gjedde

Rigsadmiral Ove Gjedde is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1650, this circular portrait depicts a senior male figure rendered in a restrained, realistic manner.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650, this circular portrait depicts a senior male figure rendered in a restrained, realistic manner. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is attributed to the artist identified as 31140_person.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as an elderly gentleman with curly gray hair and a full beard, dressed in a dark, high‑collared garment. The solemn expression and dignified bearing suggest a person of status, possibly a naval or governmental official, though no inscription confirms his identity beyond the title associated with the work.
Technique & Style
Executed in a straightforward chiaroscuro approach, the portrait relies on a single light source that illuminates one side of the face, casting deep shadows beneath the nose and cheek. The dark, unadorned background isolates the figure, emphasizing the three‑dimensional modeling of the features within the limited tonal range.
History & Provenance
The painting dates to the mid‑17th century and has remained within the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings. Its attribution to 31140_person reflects cataloguing conventions rather than a known artist’s name, and no further ownership records are documented in the available sources.
Artist & collection










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