Who painted Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli?

Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli was painted by Unknown in 1850.

Where can I see Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli?

Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli is held by Finnish Heritage Agency.

Artwork

Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli

Maaherra Johan Carpelanin muotokuvan kääntöpuoli is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Finnish Heritage Agency. The image depicts the reverse of a portrait of Governor Johan Carpelan, originally painted in 1788.

About this work

This photo shows the back of a painted portrait from 1788. The canvas is turned over, revealing its raw, un-stretched side. The photo was taken in 1945.

This wasn’t meant to be art. It was just a record to keep track of old paintings. Museums often photograph the backs of canvases to note damage or signatures.

Look up the Museum of Ethnography to see the portrait’s front side.

Overview

The image depicts the reverse of a portrait of Governor Johan Carpelan, originally painted in 1788. The photograph, taken in 1945, shows the untreated, unstretched canvas backside.

Subject & Meaning

Ironically, the subject of this image is not the portrait itself but its unadorned reverse. The primary subject, Governor Johan Carpelan, is not visible; instead, the focus is on the canvas's raw state.

Technique & Style

The image is a straightforward photograph, lacking artistic intent. Its purpose was documentary, aiming to record the state of the canvas, potentially for archival or conservation purposes.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted in 1788, while the photograph of its reverse was taken in 1945, suggesting a archival or conservation effort at that time. The front of the portrait is documented separately.

Context

This photograph reflects common museum practices where the reverse of artworks are documented to track condition, signatures, or other relevant details, often unrelated to the artwork's aesthetic value.