The man in the golden suit is Alexander Roslin, an artist born in Malmö and who became an internationally renowned name in Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century. His clients included Louis XVI of France, Catherine II of Russia and Gustav III of Sweden. It was mainly his skill in realistically reproducing textiles and materials, in which the different textures and details created tension and life in the paintings, that made him a popular portrait painter. He was also especially skilled at painting eyes in his portraits, where the eyes give the work a soul and the paintings a personal expression and an individuality.
In his self-portrait, he depicts himself as he looked at the height of his career. He is wearing the fashion of the day in exclusive fabrics and a white powdered wig. The brushes and palette in his hand tell us that he is an artist. We also see the commissioned portrait he is in the process of painting, representing King Gustav III, proving to us that he is an artist of high status.
Exhibitions
Samlingen - The Collection, Malmö Konstmuseum, våning 2, 12.06.2021
Google Art Project, Internet, 01.01.2012
Step by step Andreas Gedin, F-rummet, 21.05.2011 - 14.08.2011
Rokoko, Tikanojas konsthem, Vasa, 13.06.2009 - 11.10.2009
Alexander Roslin, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, USA, 29.08.2008 - 30.11.2008
Alexander Roslin, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, 27.09.2007 - 13.01.2008
Som du ser mig - porträtt från samlingen, Malmö Konstmuseum, Konstgalleriet, 18.02.2007 - 09.04.2007
Växelspel, 10-14 november 2001, Malmö Konstmuseum, Malmö, 30.10.2001 - 15.11.2001
Museum + demo
Från 1500 till Nu, Malmö Konstmuseum, 2:a våningen
1500 till Nu (augusti 2010), 1500-Nu
Bibliography
Alexander Roslin and the Comtesse dÉgmont Pignatelli, Författare: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, USA, 2008
Konsten att ha perspektiv, Författare: Göran Christenson, Mikael Roos, Dan Wolgers, Sören Blanking, Bengt Skoog, Orvar Löfgren och Harriet Jeppsson, 2000
