Artwork

Ulrika Eleonora d.y. (1688-1741), drottning av Sverige, hennes gemål Fredrik I (1676-1751), lantgreve av Hessen-Kassel, kung av Sverige

Ulrika Eleonora d.y. (1688-1741), drottning av Sverige, hennes gemål Fredrik I (1676-1751), lantgreve av Hessen-Kassel, kung av Sverige is a gouache painting by the Rococo painting artist Niclas Lafrensen the Elder. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

This small, circular gouache painting, dated circa 1750, portrays the royal couple of Sweden: Ulrika Eleonora (1688-1741) and her husband, Fredrik I (1676-1751), also Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel. The work is attributed to Niclas Lafrensen the Elder and is part of the collection at the Nationalmuseum.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the monarchs seated side by side, conveying a sense of joint rulership and harmony. Ulrika Eleonora gestures upward with her right hand, a gesture that may symbolize hope, divine acknowledgment, or a shared aspiration, while both subjects exhibit expressions of contentment.

Technique & Style

Executed in gouache, a opaque, water-based paint, the piece features soft, slightly faded hues, characteristic of the medium. The composition is framed by a decorative metal rim, enhancing its resemblance to a ceremonial plate. The attire of the subjects, blue coat with gold embroidery for Fredrik I, and a blue dress with lace and pearl necklace for Ulrika Eleonora, reflects their royal status.

History & Provenance

Created around 1750 by Niclas Lafrensen the Elder, the painting is now housed at the Nationalmuseum, Sweden, as part of its historical portrait collection.

Context

Commissioned during or shortly after the reign of Fredrik I, the work likely served to commemorate the royal couple’s union and rule, reflecting the artistic and political climate of 18th-century Sweden.

Legacy

While not widely renowned beyond Swedish historical art circles, the painting provides a unique glimpse into the representation of royal authority and marital harmony in early 18th-century Swedish art.