Artwork

Portrait of a Man. Probably a study for the portrait (1785) of the sculptor C. F. Stanley in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen

Portrait of a Man. Probably a study for the portrait (1785) of the sculptor C. F. Stanley in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Eric Paulsen. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Portrait of a Man is an oil painting created by Danish artist Erik Pauelsen in 1793.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Man is an oil painting created by Danish artist Erik Pauelsen in 1793. It is believed to be a study for a portrait of sculptor C. F. Stanley, later exhibited at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. The work is now part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a serious-looking man dressed in a dark coat and white shirt, with his hands resting on a table. His calm, direct gaze is the focal point, conveyed through soft shading that accentuates his facial features against a plain, dark background.

Technique & Style

Pauelsen employed soft shading techniques to create a gentle contrast between the subject's face and the dark, unadorned background, ensuring the man's calm expression and features are the primary focus.

History & Provenance

Created in 1793 during the Rococo period, the painting is associated with a later, exhibited portrait of C. F. Stanley. It is currently housed at Statens Museum for Kunst, part of Pauelsen's lesser-known oeuvre compared to his contemporaries.

Context

Erik Pauelsen worked alongside notable Danish artists Jens Juel and Nicolai Abildgaard, though he did not attain the same level of recognition. His work reflects the artistic tendencies of his generation, with a focus on portraiture and landscapes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Eric Paulsen

Erik Pauelsen (2 or 14 October 1749 – 20 February 1790) was a Danish painter. He is most notable for his landscapes and was also a popular portraitist. However, he did not experience the same level of success as Jens…