Artwork

Presidenten Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm (1756-1813), öppnar de Armfeltska breven på Stockholms slott 1794

Presidenten Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm (1756-1813), öppnar de Armfeltska breven på Stockholms slott 1794, by Pehr Hörberg, oil, 1791
Presidenten Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm (1756-1813), öppnar de Armfeltska breven på Stockholms slott 1794, by Pehr Hörberg, oil, 1791

Presidenten Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm (1756-1813), öppnar de Armfeltska breven på Stockholms slott 1794 is an oil painting by Pehr Hörberg. It dates from 1791 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This oil painting, created around 1791 by Swedish artist Pehr Hörberg, captures a pivotal moment in Swedish history. It depicts Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm, a prominent statesman, engaged in a significant task within the grand setting of Stockholm Palace.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm (1756-1813), is portrayed in the act of opening the Armfelt letters in 1794, a gesture implying the unveiling of crucial information. The scene conveys a sense of gravity and concentration, highlighting the importance of the moment.

Technique & Style

Hörberg employs a somber color palette, with dark attire and dim lighting, to evoke an atmosphere of solemnity. The single light source casts dramatic shadows, emphasizing Reuterholm's focused expression. The scattered papers suggest a sense of realism and immediacy.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1791 by Pehr Hörberg (1746-1816), a multifaceted artist also known for his music, the painting is now part of the Nationalmuseum's collection in Sweden, preserving a slice of the country's historical narrative.

Context

The painting reflects the late 18th-century Swedish political climate, where the disclosure of the Armfelt letters would have had significant implications. Hörberg's work offers a visual entry point into this period's intrigue and political tension.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of this painting on art history are not widely documented, it remains a valuable historical artifact, providing insight into late 18th-century Swedish politics and the artistic practices of its time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Pehr Hörberg

Artist

Pehr Hörberg

Pehr Hörberg (January 31, 1746, in Virestad parish in Småland, Sweden – January 24, 1816, in Risinge in Östergötland, Sweden) was a Swedish artist, painter and musician. In 1769 he married the maid Maria Eriksdotter and they had three sons.

Nationalmuseum

Museum

Nationalmuseum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Nationalmuseum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.