Artwork

Bildnis Salomon Gessner

Bildnis Salomon Gessner, by Anton Graff, oil, 1791
Bildnis Salomon Gessner, by Anton Graff, oil, 1791

Bildnis Salomon Gessner is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Anton Graff. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.

About this work

Overview

Bildnis Salomon Gessner is an oil painting created by Anton Graff in 1791. It is a portrait of Salomon Gessner, a Swiss painter and poet.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Gessner with a contemplative gaze, his hands clasped together. His attire, including a dark jacket, green vest, and brown scarf, suggests a high social status. The attention to detail in his clothing indicates the subject's prominence.

Technique & Style

Graff's use of oil paint allows for a detailed representation of Gessner's clothing, capturing the texture of the jacket and the folds of the scarf. The work reflects Graff's skill as a portrait painter, characteristic of his Rococo-influenced style.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Kunsthaus Zürich collection. Graff was known for portraying notable figures of his time, including writers, composers, and philosophers, situating Gessner among his esteemed contemporaries.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Anton Graff

Artist

Anton Graff

Anton Graff (18 November 1736 – 22 June 1813) was a Swiss portrait artist. Among his famous subjects were Friedrich Schiller, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Heinrich von Kleist, Frederick the Great, Friederike Sophie…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Kunsthaus Zürich open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.