Artwork
Carl Gustaf Göransson Ulfsparre as an angel
Carl Gustaf Göransson Ulfsparre as an angel is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Johann Weidner. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Johann Weidner’s 1649 oil on canvas, titled Carl Gustaf Göransson Ulfsparre as an Angel, is part of the Nationalmuseum’s collection. The work portrays a youthful figure in angelic attire, set against a warm, yellow backdrop with soft clouds. The composition balances a sense of calm with subtle chiaroscuro, creating a three‑dimensional presence within the modestly sized panel.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a young boy garbed in a white robe trimmed with a gold sash, his head crowned by a laurel wreath and a halo above. He holds a small plant in his right hand, a motif often linked to innocence or rebirth. The serene expression and ethereal wings convey a symbolic purity, aligning the sitter with celestial virtues.
Technique & Style
Weidner employs a restrained palette of whites, golds, and warm yellows, allowing the delicate rendering of light to model the figure’s form. Fine brushwork defines the curls of hair and the texture of the wings, while broader strokes suggest the fluffy clouds below. The interplay of light and shadow adds depth, typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century Northern European portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1649, the portrait was likely commissioned to honor Carl Gustaf Göransson Ulfsparre, a member of the Swedish nobility. The painting entered the Nationalmuseum’s holdings in the early twentieth century, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Baroque portrait collection, offering insight into Swedish aristocratic portraiture of the period.
Artist & collection
