Artwork
Kongelig herold
Kongelig herold is an unspecified painting by the Biedermeier artist Unknown. It dates from 1807 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1807 by the artist catalogued as 3871_person, "Kongelig herold" is an image preserved in the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The work presents a single rider on a stationary brown horse, set against an unadorned background that isolates the figures.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is a man in a vivid red coat edged with gold, topped by a tall black hat. A crown embroidered on the chest of the coat suggests a rank of authority, while the rolled document in one hand and the long staff in the other reinforce the impression of an official messenger or herald.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on stark contrast between the bright red garment and the muted surroundings, a visual strategy reminiscent of early nineteenth‑century Romantic tendencies toward bold coloration and heightened drama. The rider and horse are rendered with clear, precise lines that emphasize their static, formal presence.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the image has remained within the holdings of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s representation of early nineteenth‑century European visual culture.
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
