Artwork
Carl Gustaf Wrangel af Salmis, 1613-1676
Carl Gustaf Wrangel af Salmis, 1613-1676 is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Matthäus Merian. It is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum. This 1652 oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Carl Gustaf Wrangel, a prominent Swedish military commander.
About this work
Overview
This 1652 oil-on-canvas portrait depicts Carl Gustaf Wrangel, a prominent Swedish military commander. Created by Matthäus Merian the Elder, a Swiss-born engraver, publisher, and artist, the work is characterized by meticulous detail and dramatic realism, hallmarks of the Flemish Baroque style. It is part of the Nationalmuseum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait captures Wrangel with a serious demeanor, direct gaze, and distinctive long, curly hair and mustache. His attire, including a dark jacket with gold accents and a white collar, alongside a draped patterned cloth, conveys his military and social stature.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the portrait showcases Merian's adaptation of Flemish Baroque techniques, emphasizing realism through rich, detailed textures and a stark contrast between the subject and a dark, nondistractive background.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1652 by Matthäus Merian the Elder, the portrait is now housed in the Nationalmuseum, though specific details of its acquisition or earlier ownership are not provided in available information.
Context
Created during a period of significant European conflict, the portrait reflects the artistic and cultural exchange of the time, with a Swiss-German artist depicting a Swedish military figure in the Flemish Baroque style.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthäus Merian der Ältere (or "Matthew", "the Elder", or "Sr."; 22 September 1593 – 19 June 1650) was a Swiss-born engraver who worked in Frankfurt, Germany for most of his career, where he also ran a publishing house.
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