Artwork
Portrait of Ferdinand of Brunswick
Portrait of Ferdinand of Brunswick is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Johann Heinrich Tischbein. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Johann Heinrich Tischbein painted this portrait in 1760, employing oil on canvas to depict Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. The work belongs to the Rococo period and is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection. It presents the duke in an aristocratic pose, accompanied by a small dog, against a modest natural backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, Ferdinand of Brunswick, is shown in formal 18th‑century dress, with a dark coat trimmed in gold, a white shirt, and a broad sash. He holds a sword, his right hand gripping the blade while the left rests on the hilt, suggesting martial authority. The presence of a spaniel at his side adds a note of companionship and status.
Technique & Style
Tischbein’s handling of light follows a chiaroscuro scheme, modeling the figure’s volume against a darker background and giving the foliage a subtle depth. The brushwork is smooth, typical of Rococo elegance, and the colour palette balances muted earth tones with the bright gold accents of the duke’s attire.
History & Provenance
The portrait was created during Tischbein’s mature period, when he was renowned for court commissions and mythological subjects. It remained in private collections before being acquired by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it now serves as a representative example of German aristocratic portraiture from the mid‑18th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Heinrich Tischbein (3 October 1722 – 22 August 1789) was a German painter.
