Artwork
En mand i orientalsk dragt
En mand i orientalsk dragt is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Benoît Le Coffre. It dates from 1716 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1716 by Benoît Le Coffre, a Danish painter of French heritage who served as court artist for King Frederick IV, this oil painting measures a modest size and is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection. The work belongs to the Rococo period, a time when European artists frequently turned to exotic motifs for decorative inspiration.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a solitary figure dressed in Oriental costume: a tightly wrapped turban crowns his head, while a flowing robe, cinched at the waist with a sash, drapes over his shoulders. He sits with his right arm resting on a dark surface, his hand poised over the edge, suggesting a quiet, contemplative pose that reflects the early‑18th‑century fascination with far‑away cultures.
Technique & Style
Le Coffre employs a subtle chiaroscuro, contrasting the deep, shadowed background with a lighter area that illuminates the sitter’s face and attire. The brushwork is smooth, typical of Rococo’s elegant finish, and the intricate detailing of the turban’s folds and the robe’s fabric demonstrates a careful observation of texture within the oil medium.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the royal collection and eventually became part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces a clear line from the Danish court of Frederick IV to the national museum, underscoring its role as a representative example of early Rococo portraiture in Denmark.
Artist & collection
Artist
Benoît Le Coffre (1671 – 1722) was a Danish painter of French descent. He became King Frederick IV's Court Painter in 1700 and is considered the earliest representative of light Rococo painting in Denmark.
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En mand i orientalsk dragt