Artwork
Der Frühling
Der Frühling is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Mattheus Terwesten. It dates from 1713 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1713, Der Frühling is an oil painting by Dutch artist Mattheus Terwesten. Executed during the Rococo era, the work exemplifies his skill in decorative composition and is presently part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a tranquil garden scene populated by several cherubic figures. Some engage with blossoms or foliage, others recline or gaze into distance, conveying a mood of gentle innocence and the seasonal theme suggested by the title.
Technique & Style
Terwesten employs chiaroscuro to model the putti, using light and shadow to give them three‑dimensional presence against a darker, muted background. The palette balances soft pastels on the figures with deeper greens and earth tones behind them, typical of Rococo decorative painting.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek. Terwesten’s later career included service as court painter to Frederick William I of Prussia and leadership positions at academies in The Hague and Berlin, underscoring his prominence in early‑18th‑century art circles.
Artist & collection
Artist
Mattheus Terwesten or Matthäus Terwesten (23 February 1670 – 11 June 1757) was a Dutch painter and art educator.
