Reading at Drottningholm Palace

Pehr Hilleström d.ä. (1732 - 1816)

Artist/Maker

Artist: Pehr Hilleström d.ä. (1732 - 1816)

DatesMade: 1779

Material / Technique

Oil on canvas

Dimensionsh x w: Mått 74,5 x 117 cm h x w: Ram 87,5 x 131,5 x 5 cm

Inventory numberNMDrh 751

AcqusitionPurchase 1928 Gripsholm Castle, Transferred 1933 Drottningholm Palace

Other titlesTitle (sv): Lektyr på Drottningholm Title (en): Reading at Drottningholm Palace Previous: Konversation på Drottningholm

DescriptionDescription: The painting was a gift to Catherine the Great from King Gustav III, who described the contents himself: “I am sitting on a sofa drawing and am examining several plans such as Tsarskoye Selo, on which I see the places where I walked with the Empress on this beautiful site.” The elegant conclusion is deferential in praising the gift recipient. The reader is reading an ode to Catherine by Voltaire.

Depicted place

Drottningholm Palace (Sweden, Stockholm County, Drottningholm)

Collection

Paintings (Paintings)

MaterialOil paint, Duk

TechniquePainting

Object category

painting

External links

Wikidata: http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q18574831

Additional texteExhibition text: This painting was given to Catherine the Great by Gustav III of Sweden. Regarded as a picture of life at the Swedish court, it was actually a tribute to the Empress. The king sits on the sofa, his gaze fixed on Catherine’s bust, while the reader recites Voltaire’s poetic tribute to the Empress. In her thank you letter, however, Catherine sarcastically noted that no one appeared to be listening except Countess von Fersen, the Dame de Palais.