Portrait of the Artist 1643 - 1698

David Ehrenstrahl painted this portrait of himself in Sweden, sometime in the latter half of the 17th century. It offers a glimpse into the social standing of artists during the Baroque era. Ehrenstrahl presents himself not just as a craftsman, but as a gentleman of cultivated tastes. The soft lighting, the luxurious fabrics, and the carefully arranged pose all speak to a desire to elevate the status of the artist. In a society still heavily influenced by aristocratic values, Ehrenstrahl is asserting his place among the educated elite. To fully understand this image, we have to consider the role of royal patronage in Sweden at this time. Ehrenstrahl was employed by the royal court, and his artistic success was tied to the monarchy's favor. Archival records from the Swedish court, as well as studies of artistic academies of the era, can shed light on the complex relationship between artistic production and the structures of power.