Large, Early, 18th-Century German School Antique Oil On Canvas Portrait Of A Bewigged Gentleman, Attributed To JOHANN PAUL LUDDEN, circa 1731

An exquisite, large, early 18th-century German School antique oil on canvas portrait.

The sitter is Casper Roeck, an 18th-century mayor of Lübeck, Germany, and is dated to 1731 (an inscription verso confirms). Portrayed in a feigned oval, wearing a long wig, white stock, and blue coat.

Lübeck is the most south-western city on the Baltic Sea, and the closest point of access to the Baltic from Hamburg.

About the artist:

Ludden (Born? – Died 1739) is recorded as a painter, portraitist, and author of historical paintings. He went to St Petersburg (according to his own words) in 1728 with engraver Christian-Albert Wortmann. He was the court painter to Peter II. He also undertook portraits as private commissions.

The portrait verso bears the inscription “Casper Roeck, Schwester Mann Von Jacob Martin Mollow, Ludden 1731.” The translation of “schwester mann” means “sister man,” and “von” means “of,” so whether Roeck was a relative of Jacob Martin Mollow and the painting was painted as a gift by Roeck to him by Ludden in 1731, we can never be fully sure. Whatever its history, we just love it!

Presented in its original, heavily carved, gilt gesso frame.

Provenance – Sourced from Continental Europe.

Condition – Relined. Cleaned and revarnished to a very high standard. Please refer to the images for further information. This portrait has real presence!

Size – Image dimensions approx. 69 cm x 77 cm (27 1/8″ x 30 1/3″) / Dimensions including frame approx. 115 cm x 105 cm (45 1/4″ x 41 1/3″)