Who painted Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general?

Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general was painted by David von Krafft in 1699.

Where can I see Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general?

Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general is held by Nationalmuseum.

What movement is Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general?

Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general

David von Krafft , 1699

Carl Gustaf Hård (1674-1744), greve, riksråd, general is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist David von Krafft. It dates from 1699 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Around 1699, German‑Swedish court painter David von Krafft executed an oil portrait of Carl Gustaf Hård, a Swedish count who served as privy councillor and general. The work is part of the Nationalmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the early Rococo style favored at the Swedish court.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is presented in formal attire: a white shirt beneath a dark, glossy vest, a cape fastened with a prominent bow, and a sword at his side. He holds a staff in his right hand and gazes directly at the viewer with a sober expression, underscoring his rank and military authority.

Technique & Style

Krafft employed a restrained palette of dark background tones illuminated from the left, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figure’s features. The crisp rendering of fabrics and the delicate treatment of the subject’s curly white hair reflect the court’s taste for refined, yet restrained, Rococo portraiture.

History & Provenance

Krafft succeeded his uncle David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl as the Swedish Royal Court painter in 1698, a position he retained until his death in 1724. This portrait, produced shortly after his appointment, entered the Nationalmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display.

Artist & collection

Artist

David von Krafft

David Krafft, from 1719 David von Krafft (1655 – 20 September 1724), was a German-Swedish painter, the nephew and student of David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl and his successor (in 1698) as painter to the Swedish Royal Court.