Artwork
Ulrika Bock s. Kostfeldt (1721-1782)

Ulrika Bock s. Kostfeldt (1721-1782) is a drawing by Nils Schillmark. It is held in the collection of the Helsinki City Museum. This portrait painting depicts Ulrika Bock s.
About this work
This portrait painting features a woman with fair skin, dressed in a blue dress with a pink bodice and a lace collar.
This portrait painting features a woman with fair skin, dressed in a blue dress with a pink bodice and a lace collar. She wears a pink bow on her chest and another on her right sleeve. Her hair is styled in an updo, adorned with a lace headpiece and a pink bow. She holds a fan in her right hand.
The woman's attire and hairstyle suggest a formal setting, possibly from the 18th century. The painting's style and attention to detail indicate a skilled artist.
To learn more about the artist's technique, explore the technique of cross-hatching.
Overview
This portrait painting depicts Ulrika Bock s. Kostfeldt (1721-1782) in formal 18th-century attire, characterized by a blue dress with pink accents, lace adornments, and an elaborately styled hairpiece. The overall composition conveys a sense of elegance and refinement.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, Ulrika Bock s. Kostfeldt, is portrayed in a manner suggesting high social status or occasion, emphasized by the meticulous detailing of her clothing and accessories, such as the fan, bows, and lace.
Technique & Style
The painting exhibits the skillful use of techniques common in 18th-century portraiture, notable for its attention to detail and likely incorporating methods such as cross-hatching to achieve depth and texture, particularly in the rendering of fabrics and hair.
History & Provenance
No specific historical ownership or exhibition records are provided for this portrait, though its style and subject's attire firmly place its creation within the 18th century, potentially during Ulrika's lifetime.
Context
The work reflects the portraiture conventions of its time, where subjects of similar social standing were often depicted with symbols of their status and in formal, dignified poses, highlighting the artist's adherence to these traditions.
Legacy
The legacy of this portrait, like many from the period, lies in its preservation of 18th-century fashion, social norms, and artistic techniques, offering a glimpse into the lives of the contemporary elite.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nils Schillmark (26 September 1745 – 28 January 1804) was a Swedish painter who lived and worked in the part of Sweden that later would be Finland.
















