Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Artwork

Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing

Vigilius Eriksen , 1750

Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing, by Vigilius Eriksen, oil, 1750
Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing, by Vigilius Eriksen, oil, 1750

Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Vigilius Eriksen. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vigilius Eriksen's *Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing* (c. 1750) is an oil painting executed in the Rococo style, portraying Anton Friedrich Büsching, a prominent pastor. The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait focuses on Pastor Anton Friedrich Büsching, depicted in attire indicative of his profession: a dark coat with white collar and cuffs. His rounded face, pale skin, and neatly curled gray hair are set against a plain black background, emphasizing his individuality.

Technique & Style

Eriksen employed smooth brushstrokes to achieve a subtle blend of light and shadow on the subject's face, creating a soft, luminous effect that imparts a near three-dimensional quality to the skin.

History & Provenance

Created around 1750 by Vigilius Eriksen, court portraitist to Christian VI of Denmark, the painting is now housed in the State Hermitage Museum.

Context

As a Rococo piece, the portrait reflects the era's emphasis on intimacy and subtle lighting effects, characteristic of the style's departure from Baroque grandeur.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of *Portrait of Pastor A.F. Byushing* on broader art historical trends are not prominently documented, it remains a notable example of 18th-century Rococo portraiture in a prominent museum collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Vigilius Eriksen

Vigilius Eriksen (2 September 1722 in Copenhagen – 25 May 1782 in Rungstedgård) was a Danish painter. He was the royal portraitist to Christian VI of Denmark.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.

MORE BY VIGILIUS ERIKSEN

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 100 percent
This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Hermitage Museum. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.