Artwork
Portrait of the Father of Emilius Nicolai Scherr
Portrait of the Father of Emilius Nicolai Scherr is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting depicts a young man, identified as the father of Emilius Nicolai Scherr.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a commemorative likeness, it serves to record and honor the individual’s appearance and status within his family lineage.
The painting portrays an unidentified male identified by its title as the father of Emilius Nicolai Scherr. Executed in 1774 by an anonymous artist, the work follows conventional portrait conventions of the period, presenting the sitter’s likeness with a direct gaze and modest attire typical of the era. As a commemorative likeness, it serves to record and honor the individual’s appearance and status within his family lineage.
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as a portrait.
History & Provenance
The painting dates to 1774, as recorded in both its cataloguing and its Wikidata inception entry. It entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, where it is currently held. No further details regarding commission, prior ownership, or chain of custody are documented in the available sources.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is recorded with the accession number 58.100.1.
It has been exhibited once in a museum context, shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1973 as part of the display “Eight American Portraits, 1680–1830.”
Overview
This painting depicts a young man, identified as the father of Emilius Nicolai Scherr. The subject is presented in a formal, head-and-shoulders format, wearing a dark, buttoned coat. The artist employed subtle lighting to illuminate his features, creating a sense of quiet composure against a simple, undifferentiated background.
The artwork is presented within an elaborate, aged frame, suggesting its historical context and the value placed upon it.
Technique & Style
The artist demonstrates a careful approach to rendering form through light and shadow. Soft illumination highlights the sitter's face, making his features prominent against the darker attire and plain backdrop. This technique, often referred to as chiaroscuro, creates depth and a sculptural quality, emphasizing the contours of the face and contributing to the overall serene yet focused atmosphere of the portrait.
Artist & collection
- Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Gentleman
Gérard de Vesme
Knabe mit Flinte
Portrait of Louis XVIII, when comte de Provence ?
Portret van een man
Portrait of Louis XVIII, when comte de Provence ?
Karl Fredrik, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp
Carl Anton Adam Freiherr von Hagn
