Artwork

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap, by Balthasar Denner, oil, 1718
Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap, by Balthasar Denner, oil, 1718

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Balthasar Denner. It dates from 1718 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Technique & Style

Stylistically, the painting belongs to the genre of portraiture, with the canvas oriented to a half-length composition focused on a single male sitter.

The work is executed in oil paint on canvas, a medium consistent with Balthasar Denner's portrait practice. The support is a modestly scaled canvas measuring 49 cm in height by 37.5 cm in width, suited to the intimate format of a bust-length character study.

Stylistically, the painting belongs to the genre of portraiture, with the canvas oriented to a half-length composition focused on a single male sitter. The restricted palette and fine handling characteristic of Denner's manner are directed toward the rendering of facial features and the crisp white cap that gives the work its title, rather than broader painterly effects.

History & Provenance

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap is an oil painting on canvas created in 1718 by Balthasar Denner. It was acquired by the National Gallery of Denmark, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains in the museum's collection. The work entered the collection through a formal acquisition, establishing its provenance within the institution's holdings. Its dimensions are recorded as 49 cm in height and 37.5 cm in width.

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work, an oil painting on canvas created in 1718, depicts a man and measures 49 cm in height by 37.5 cm in width. The provided sources confirm its location at this museum but do not list a specific inventory number or detail any past exhibitions.

Overview

Created in 1718, this oil portrait depicts a young man rendered by German painter Balthasar Denner, whose career centered on meticulous portraiture in the early eighteenth century. Executed as a half‑length figure, the work now belongs to the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, offering a concise example of Denner’s focus on facial realism.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears with a pale complexion, short light hair, and a white cap pulled low over his brow. He wears a high‑collared shirt and a loosely tied cravat, set against a dark backdrop that isolates his serious expression and steady gaze, suggesting a restrained, perhaps introspective, character.

Portrait of a gentleman in red turban
Portrait of a gentleman in red turban, Michael Dahl

Artist & collection

Portrait of Balthasar Denner

Artist

Balthasar Denner

Balthasar Denner (15 November 1685 – 14 April 1749) was a German painter, highly regarded as a portraitist.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap?

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap was painted by Balthasar Denner in 1718.

Where can I see Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap?

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap?

Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap is associated with Barbizon school.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Young Man Wearing a White Cap are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.