Who painted Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström?

Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström was painted by Gustaf Wilhelm Finnberg in 1818.

Where can I see Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström?

Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström is held by Finnish National Gallery.

Artwork

Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström

Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström is an unspecified painting by Gustaf Wilhelm Finnberg. It dates from 1818 and is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Gustaf Wilhelm Finnberg’s portrait of Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström dates to around 1818. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents the Finnish lieutenant in a formal pose, his gaze directed toward the left. The composition is anchored by a warm, mottled brown backdrop that frames the figure’s dark military attire.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as Aliluutnantti Anton af Tengström, is depicted in a dark uniform accented with red trim and gold detailing. His short, dark hair and solemn expression convey a sense of disciplined authority, reflecting the conventions of early‑nineteenth‑century military portraiture that emphasized rank and decorum.

Technique & Style

Finnberg employs chiaroscuro to model the lieutenant’s form, using contrasts of light and shadow to suggest volume and three‑dimensionality. The meticulous rendering of the uniform’s shoulder and chest ornaments demonstrates a careful attention to texture, while the subdued palette of the background enhances the figure’s prominence.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1818, the portrait belongs to Finnberg’s early output, a period when he produced several commissioned likenesses of Finnish officers. The painting’s subsequent ownership record is limited, but it remains an example of the artist’s engagement with official portraiture during the post‑Napoleonic era.