Who painted Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess?

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess was painted by Vigilius Eriksen in 1759.

Where can I see Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess?

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess?

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess

Vigilius Eriksen , 1759

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Vigilius Eriksen. It dates from 1759 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1759 by Danish court painter Vigilius Eriksen, this oil work presents a preliminary study for a portrait of a Russian noblewoman. Executed in the Rococo idiom, the composition balances elegance with a light, ornamental touch. The painting is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection and exemplifies Eriksen’s role as a portraitist for European royalty.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman dressed in a flowing white gown, her shoulders draped with a delicate shawl. She holds a fan in one hand and a small bouquet in the other, suggesting a moment of poised preparation. A secondary figure in a darker dress moves in the background, while faint silhouettes of dogs and attendants hint at a broader social setting.

Technique & Style

Eriksen employs smooth, blended brushwork to render the soft transitions between light and shadow, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that lifts the pale dress from the dimmer surroundings. The overall palette is muted, with the luminous white of the dress providing a gentle contrast that enhances the dreamy, airy quality typical of Rococo portraiture.

History & Provenance

The study was produced as a preparatory sketch for a larger commissioned portrait, likely intended for a member of the Russian aristocracy. After remaining in private hands, the work entered the national collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of 18th‑century European portraiture.

Sketch for a Portrait of a Russian Princess, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Vigilius Eriksen

Vigilius Eriksen (2 September 1722 in Copenhagen – 25 May 1782 in Rungstedgård) was a Danish painter. He was the royal portraitist to Christian VI of Denmark.