Artwork

Portrait of Christoffel Bernhard Julius von Schwartz (1676-1754), heer van Ansen en Glinthuis

Portrait of Christoffel Bernhard Julius von Schwartz (1676-1754), heer van Ansen en Glinthuis is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Rosalba Carriera. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. This small, oval portrait miniature is carved into ivory and depicts Christoffel Bernhard Julius von Schwartz, a Dutch nobleman.

About this work

Overview

This small, oval portrait miniature is carved into ivory and depicts Christoffel Bernhard Julius von Schwartz, a Dutch nobleman. Created in 1700 by Rosalba Carriera, it showcases her skill in capturing detailed likenesses on a miniature scale.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Christoffel Bernhard Julius von Schwartz, is shown against a dark background, wearing formal attire that includes a white lace collar and a blue garment. His curly white hair and light-colored wig are prominent features.

Technique & Style

Carriera's use of tiny, precise strokes achieves a high level of detail, particularly in the rendering of soft shadows and highlights on the subject's face and wig. The contrast between light and dark areas employs chiaroscuro, a technique that creates a three-dimensional effect.

History & Provenance

The portrait is now held in the Rijksmuseum collection. It is an example of Carriera's early work, which specialized in small-scale portraits before she gained wider recognition for her pastel works.