Artwork
Karl XI konung av Sverige med familj
Karl XI konung av Sverige med familj is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Karl XI konung av Sverige med familj is a 1696 oil painting by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl, depicting a formal family gathering of nine individuals, including royalty, accompanied by two small white dogs.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Charles XI of Sweden, his son Carl XII, and Frederick IV, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, within a broader family context, emphasizing royal lineage and unity through its composition.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the work features formal 17th-century attire, rich textiles (notably red upholstery and carpet), and a dark, subtly landscaped background, all arranged in a structured, elegant composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1696, the painting is part of the collection at the Nationalmuseum in Sweden.
Context
Reflecting the artistic and social conventions of late 17th-century Europe, the painting combines portraiture with family portraiture, capturing the dignity and hierarchy of royal families during this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl (1628–1698) was an artist, born in Hamburg.
