Artwork

Johan Adam von Gertten (1767-1835), överste, ståthållare på Strömsholms slott, landskapsmålare

Johan Adam von Gertten (1767-1835), överste, ståthållare på Strömsholms slott, landskapsmålare is an oil painting by Aleksander Lauréus. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, created around 1813 by Aleksander Lauréus, portrays Johan Adam von Gertten, a military officer and administrator, in a dignified pose with a horse and dog against a serene landscape backdrop. The work is part of the collection at the Nationalmuseum.

Subject & Meaning

Johan Adam von Gertten is depicted in military attire, conveying his rank as an överste (colonel) and his role as ståthållare (governor) of Strömsholms slott. The inclusion of a horse and dog symbolizes authority, nobility, and companionship, highlighting his dual life as a military figure and potentially as a landskapsmålare (landscape painter).

Technique & Style

Lauréus employed oil paint to achieve depth and texture, focusing attention on the central figure through meticulous detail in the uniform's gold buttons, hat, and the naturalistic rendering of the horse and dog. The contrasting serene landscape in the background adds balance to the composition.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1813, the painting is attributed to Aleksander Lauréus. It is currently housed at the Nationalmuseum, though the acquisition details are not specified in the provided information.

Context

The painting reflects the early 19th-century European tradition of portrait painting, emphasizing the subject's social status and professions. Von Gertten's possible dual identity as a military officer and landscape painter situates him within the broader cultural context of amateur artistic pursuits among the nobility.

Legacy

While specific impacts or notable exhibitions of this work are not detailed, as part of the Nationalmuseum's collection, it contributes to the historical record of Swedish military and aristocratic life during the early 19th century, and to the oeuvre of Aleksander Lauréus.