Who painted Christian III?

Christian III was painted by Unknown in 1789.

Where can I see Christian III?

Christian III is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Christian III?

Christian III is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Christian III

Unknown , 1789

Christian III is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The portrait depicts a bearded man with short hair, dressed in elaborate 16th‑century attire.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Executed in 1777, it is a portrait that presents the king’s likeness, consistent with the genre’s aim of recording an individual’s appearance.

The painting portrays Christian III of Denmark, identified as the main subject of the work. Executed in 1777, it is a portrait that presents the king’s likeness, consistent with the genre’s aim of recording an individual’s appearance. Held in the Statens Museum for Kunst, the artwork’s primary function is to depict the monarch himself, without additional symbolic elements described in the sources. The portrait follows conventional royal portraiture of the period.

History & Provenance

The painting now in Statens Museum for Kunst (inventory KMS 1393) was created in 1777. It depicts Christian III of Denmark and entered the museum’s holdings as part of its Ubekendt collection. The work measures 250 cm in height and 210 cm in width.

Overview

The portrait depicts a bearded man with short hair, dressed in elaborate 16th‑century attire. He wears a black robe trimmed with white embroidery, a gold chain at his throat, and a black hat adorned with a white feather. One hand rests on a small table, and the name "Christian III" appears in the upper left corner, identifying the sitter.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the work employs a realistic approach typical of Northern Renaissance portraiture. Careful attention to texture renders the fabric’s sheen and the gold chain’s luster, while the subtle chiaroscuro models the sitter’s facial features and beard. The composition is straightforward, with a neutral background that focuses attention on the figure.