The portrait of Louis, Duke of La Rochefoucauld, painted in 1765, earned Alexander Roslin a significant competitive triumph against Jean-Baptiste Greuze. As a Swedish-born painter who established his career in Paris, Roslin became the foremost portraitist for European aristocrats, securing a reputation for capturing both the depth of his sitters and the intricate textures of their luxurious garments.
Early Development and Training
Born in 1718 in Malmö Sankt Petri församling, Roslin was the son of Catherine Wertmüller and naval physician Hans Roslin. He initially trained in Karlskrona under Admiralty Captain Lars Ehrenbill with the intent of becoming a naval draughtsman. At age sixteen, he moved to Stockholm to apprentice under court painter Georg Engelhard Schröder, where he studied until 1741. His early practice included religious paintings for the church at Hasslöv and large-scale oil portraits.
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Roslin left Sweden in 1745 to work for Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, in Bayreuth. He traveled to Italy in 1747 to study the work of masters before arriving in Paris in 1752, the city that would serve as his permanent base. He gained entry into the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture and eventually received a pension and an apartment in the Louvre in 1771.
Artistic Style and Technique
Roslin’s movement was Rococo, often incorporating Classicist tendencies. He was highly regarded for his ability to render surfaces, specifically pearls, lace, silk, and gold. Contemporaries noted his talent with the phrase, 'Satin, skin? Go to Roslin.' In 1759, he married the pastellist Marie-Suzanne Giroust. Their collaborative portraiture and his depiction of her in The Lady with the Veil highlight his experimental use of color.
International Commissions and Later Years
Beyond the French aristocracy, Roslin painted portraits of Swedish royalty, including Gustav III, and members of the Russian nobility. Between 1775 and 1777, he produced several portraits of Empress Catherine II of Russia. After his wife died, he returned to Sweden for a period before ultimately settling back in Paris. At the time of his death in 1793, he held the distinction of being the wealthiest artist in Paris.
Fast facts
- Born: 1718, Malmö Sankt Petri församling
- Died: 1793, Paris
- Movement: Rococo
- Positions held: Court painter
- Awards: Commander of the Order of Vasa
- Burial place: Montmartre Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Which major public art institutions house his work?
Roslin's works are held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which purchased his portrait of the Countess of Egmont Pignatelli for US$3 million in 2006.
What subjects did Roslin primarily paint?
He focused on portraits of European nobility, foreign princes, and prominent cultural figures, often highlighting their fashionable clothing and jewels.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of Vasa
- Notable work: The Lady with a Fan, The Artist's Wife
- Notable work: Marie Suzanne Roslin, born Giroust, Painter's wife and pastellist
- Notable work: Portrait of the Artist's Wife Marie Suzanne, née Giroust
- Movement: Rococo
