Who painted Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman?

Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman was painted by Johan Hörner in 1744.

Where can I see Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman?

Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman?

Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman

Johan Hörner , 1744

Portrait og an Elderly Gentleman is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johan Hörner. It dates from 1744 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Johan Hörner’s oil portrait, dated 1744, depicts an elderly gentleman and is part of the collection at Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst. The work measures a modest size and presents a single figure against a dark backdrop, emphasizing the sitter’s presence through restrained composition and careful handling of light.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is an older man with white, tightly curled hair and a solemn expression. He is dressed in an elaborate dark coat adorned with silver embroidery, complemented by a white cravat. One hand rests on a red strap that may belong to a sword or a small satchel, while the other grasps a lace ruffle, suggesting status and perhaps a military or civic role.

Technique & Style

Hörner employs a smooth, refined brushstroke that renders soft transitions of light across the face and garments. The chiaroscuro effect—contrasting illuminated features with a deep, almost black background—creates a three‑dimensional quality and draws focus to the sitter’s features. The edges of the canvas show slight wear, hinting at the painting’s age.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑18th century, the portrait entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition by the museum is not extensively documented, but the work reflects the period’s interest in individual portraiture among the European elite.