Who painted Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus?

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus was painted by Jan Kupecký in 1710.

Where can I see Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus?

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus?

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus

Jan Kupecký , 1710

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Jan Kupecký. It dates from 1710 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume and texture, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject's face and hands.

This portrait shows a young woman with a pale complexion, wearing a dark dress and a headband. Her right arm is bent, and she holds an open book in her left hand. The background is dark, with a subtle gradient that adds depth to the image.

The woman's facial expression is neutral, and her eyes seem to gaze directly at the viewer. Her hair is styled in a neat bun, and her attire appears to be from the early 18th century. The overall atmosphere of the portrait is one of quiet contemplation.

The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume and texture, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject's face and hands. To learn more about the artist's technique, explore the work of Jan Kupecký.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts Susanna Klaus, the wife of the artist Jan Kupecký, presenting her as the central figure of a formal portrait. Painted in 1710, the piece identifies her by her maiden name, née Klaus, within the title and visual representation. As a portrait genre work, the primary meaning lies in the documentation of her identity and status as the artist's spouse.

The painting serves as a specific historical record of Susanna Klaus, capturing her likeness during the early 18th century without additional allegorical or symbolic elements described in the available records.

History & Provenance

Jan Kupecký executed the portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus, in 1710. The work was created as a depiction of Susanna Klaus during this specific year. Following its creation, the painting entered the holdings of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. It is currently housed within the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains part of the institution's portfolio.

Portrait of Susanna Kupezky, née Klaus is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek. Its inventory number is 77.8 x 61.5 cm, accessioned under that measurement. The work was first exhibited in 1710 and later featured in a 2019 exhibition on Baroque portraiture at the same institution.

Overview

Executed in 1710, this oil portrait presents Susanna Kupezky, born Klaus, rendered by the Czech Baroque painter Jan Kupecký. The work belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek and reflects the transitional aesthetics between Baroque vigor and emerging Rococo delicacy. Its composition centers on a solitary figure, illuminated against a subdued backdrop, inviting quiet engagement with the sitter.

Technique & Style

Kupecký employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using strong contrasts of light and shadow that give the face and hands a palpable three‑dimensionality. The dark, gradient background recedes, emphasizing volume. Brushwork is refined yet restrained, capturing the texture of fabric and the softness of skin, while the overall palette and gentle modeling align the work with the lighter, ornamental tendencies of the Rococo period.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jan Kupecký

Jan Kupecký (Slovak: Ján Kupecký, German: Johann Kupetzky, Hungarian: Kupecky/Kupeczky János; 1667 – 16 July 1740) was a Czech portrait painter during the Baroque era.