Artwork

The Court Jeweller Christopher Fabritius and his Wife Gundel, née Berntz

The Court Jeweller Christopher Fabritius and his Wife Gundel, née Berntz is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Peder Als. It dates from 1752 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Peder Als painted this oil portrait in 1752, depicting the Danish court jeweller Christopher Fabritius alongside his wife Gundel, née Berntz. The work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed as a representative example of mid‑18th‑century portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents the couple in a domestic yet formal setting: Gundel sits in a pale blue gown, holding a vibrant bouquet of red, pink and yellow flowers, while Fabritius rests his hand on her arm. Their calm expressions and matching powdered wigs convey a sense of marital harmony and social standing within the court.

Technique & Style

Als employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing the light to illuminate the subjects’ faces against a muted gold‑green background. The textures of the man’s dark coat with white ruffles and the woman’s delicately embroidered dress are rendered with fine brushwork, highlighting the material richness typical of Rococo portraiture.

History & Provenance

Created for the Fabritius family, the painting entered the national collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it has remained. Its provenance reflects the museum’s acquisition of works that document the cultural elite of 18th‑century Denmark.

Context

The portrait illustrates the role of court artisans such as Fabritius, whose position as royal jeweller granted him a place among the aristocracy. The inclusion of luxurious attire and ornamental details aligns with contemporary conventions that emphasized status and refinement in portraiture.