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Christoph Willibald von Gluck

1775, Artist: Joseph-Sifrède Duplessis

 

 

Christoph Willibald von Gluck

Gluck (1724–1787), who reformed the genre of opera by creating modern dramatic musical theatre, is presented in a staged, official setting at the harpsichord. Nevertheless, this is probably the most convincing portrait of a musician ever painted. The composer – with his pockmarked face turned upwards – has paused in a moment of inspiration. Here mental and emotional content including enthusiasm have been organically integrated in a formal portrait.

Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kabinett 13

Object data

Object Name

Painting

Culture

French

Dated

1775

Artist

Joseph-Sifrède Duplessis (1725 Carpentras/Vaucluse - 1802 Versailles) - GND

Material

Canvas

Dimensions

99,5 x 80,5 cm
Framed: 121,5 x 102,7 x 10 cm

Signed

Inscribed on the spinet: J.S. Duplessis pinx. parisiis 1775

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie

Inv. No.

Gemäldegalerie, 1795

Provenance

1824 documented in the gallery;

Depiction/Person

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