Oil on canvas, relined
Germany, around 1750
Circle of Balthasar Denner (1685-1749) –German portrait painter
Very fine brushwork
Beautiful gilt ornamental frame
Dimensions, framed: 147 x 180 cm; dimensions stretcher frame: 115.5 x 150 cm
Visually good condition

This large oil portrait from the circle of the famous German portrait painter Balthasar Denner shows an aristocratic family – a mother and father with their two children. A Franciscan monk is depicted in the background, next to him stands an old man, probably an ancestor of the family. The father wears a sober brown suit and a period wig. In his left hand he holds a small green vial. His wife wears a gorgeous dress, which reflects the social status of the family. The lace ruffles on the sleeves and neckline are rendered in an incredibly fine manner. The delicately painted floral patterns of the embroidered silk testify to the artist’s virtuosity. On her lap, the mother holds her youngest child, whom she feeds a ladyfinger biscuit. The slightly older boy, dressed in pink, occupies the centre of the painting. He is holding a rose in his right hand.



This imposing work was undoubtedly created by a talented portrait painter from the late Baroque period and shows the finesse and detailed execution which define the paintings by Balthasar Denner. Also the arrangement of the figures is reminiscent of Denner's portrait of his family in the Hamburger Kunsthalle or the portrait of a family of musicians in the Stuttgart Bach Academy. The motif of a child holding a rose can also be found in Denner’s children portraits of Barthold Hinrich Brocke's family, in the possession of the Hamburger Kunsthalle as well. The work is presented in a beautiful gilt ornamental frame.



The painting is in visually good condition. It has been extensively restored. Under UV light large over-painted areas are visible, especially along the faces. In normal light the touch-ups are hardly discernable. The ornamental frame shows colour and material loss, it was partially touched up. Framed the work measures 147 x 180 cm, the stretcher frame measures 115.5 x 150 cm. (tfa)



Balthasar Denner (1685-1749)

At the age of eight Balthasar Denner already demonstrated his talent as an artist. After an accident, he passed the time of his recovery with drawing. A few years later he was trained by the Dutch painter Franz van Amama, and in Gdansk Denner received an education in oil painting. Even whilst working as a merchant, he devoted his leisure time to painting. In 1707 he was admitted to the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin. Soon he received his first significant commissions. A large painting for the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp established Denner as a gifted portrait painter. Thus he continuously received commissions from the courts of Europe, frequently travelling across Germany as well as to Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London. During his lifetime, Balthasar Denner was one of the most sought-after portrait painters in northern Europe and highly valued for his meticulous execution.

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