Artwork

Portrait of Ester Winter

Portrait of Ester Winter, by Balthasar Denner, ivory, 1738
Portrait of Ester Winter, by Balthasar Denner, ivory, 1738

Portrait of Ester Winter is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Balthasar Denner. It dates from 1738 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of Ester Winter is a small, oval, ivory painting created by German portraitist Balthasar Denner in 1738. Executed in the Rococo style, it presents a half-length depiction of its subject.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on a woman, Ester Winter, shown from the shoulders up with a calm, slightly serious expression. Her features, including subtle facial hair, are rendered with precision, drawing the viewer's attention.

Technique & Style

Denner employed soft shading, akin to sfumato, to achieve a smooth, three-dimensional quality on Ester Winter's face. The plain background emphasizes the subject, while the artist likely collaborated with others on the less detailed clothing and accessories.

History & Provenance

Created in 1738, the work typifies Denner's Rococo-period portraits, characterized by meticulous facial detail—a hallmark of his practice. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

As a Rococo piece, it reflects the era's emphasis on intimacy and delicate beauty. The use of ivory as a medium adds to the work's delicacy and rarity.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Portrait of Ester Winter* are not provided, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Denner's skill in capturing nuanced portraits during the Rococo period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Balthasar Denner

Artist

Balthasar Denner

Balthasar Denner (15 November 1685 – 14 April 1749) was a German painter, highly regarded as a portraitist.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

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