Christoph Willibald von Gluck
1775 | Joseph-Sifrède Duplessis
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.
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.
Artist:
Joseph-Sifrède Duplessis (1725 Carpentras/Vaucluse - 1802 Versailles) DNB
Depiction/Person:
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 - 1787) DNB
Time:
1775
Object Name
Painting
Culture
French
Material/technology:
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
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 1795
Provenance
1824 documented in the gallery;