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Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting
Brave Fine Art
for sale €2,691     $2,921
£2,300
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting

18th century
For Sale by Brave Fine Art
Description

This mid-18th-century half-length German portrait depicts a middle-aged aristocrat wearing armour and a wig.

Despite his heavily-clad appearance, it’s likely that this rather nonchalant nobleman has little to do with military affairs as armour was often worn simply to convey status. Indeed, he’s shrouded himself in a rather ostentatious cloak lined with, what appears to be, leopard fur. Hardly practical attire for a quaggy battlefield.

Atop his head, he wears a powdered wig with orderly side coils that hang below the ears. While his natural hair seems to be styled into a ponytail, held in place with a fanciful black bow. Men from the period generally kept their hair long and either ‘bagged’ it, curled it or left it to dangle, as per this example.

His identity remains unknown but he’s evidently a man of considerable means.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 31½” x 36” / 80cm x 92cm

Year of creation: c.1750

Provenance: Private collection, Germany.

Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Faint stretcher marks. Areas of fine craquelure and minor losses, the paint layer is stable following previous conservation. Frame in excellent condition.

Our reference: BRV1927

Physical Dimensions
Height
92cm (36.22")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this 18th Century Portrait Painting to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1126541
Description
This mid-18th-century half-length German portrait depicts a middle-aged aristocrat wearing armour and a wig.
Despite his heavily-clad appearance, it’s likely that this rather nonchalant nobleman has little to do with military affairs as armour was often worn simply to convey status.
Brave Fine Art

Indeed, he’s shrouded himself in a rather ostentatious cloak lined with, what appears to be, leopard fur. Hardly practical attire for a quaggy battlefield.

fig 1. An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
fig 1. Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting

Atop his head, he wears a powdered wig with orderly side coils that hang below the ears. While his natural hair seems to be styled into a ponytail, held in place with a fanciful black bow. Men from the period generally kept their hair long and either ‘bagged’ it, curled it or left it to dangle, as per this example.

fig 2. An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
fig 2. Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting

His identity remains unknown but he’s evidently a man of considerable means.

Held in a later frame.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 31½” x 36” / 80cm x 92cm

Year of creation: c.1750

Provenance: Private collection, Germany.

fig 3. An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
fig 3. Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting

Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Faint stretcher marks. Areas of fine craquelure and minor losses, the paint layer is stable following previous conservation. Frame in excellent condition.

Our reference: BRV1927

Height
92cm (36.22")
Width
80cm (31.50")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this 18th Century Portrait Painting to the 1750s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1126541
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
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Archive I An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.

Mid-18th-century German School, Portrait of an Aristocrat in Armour - Antique Oil Painting

Archive II An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View II
Archive III An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View III
Archive IV An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View IV
Archive V An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View V
Archive VI An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View VI
Archive VII An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View VII
Archive VIII An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame. View VIII
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Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

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Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 68
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Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
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Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
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An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
Mid-18th-Century German School, Portrait Of An Aristocrat In Armour - Antique Oil Painting
Ref: SA1126541
An 18th-century oil painting depicting an aristocrat in plate armour with a powdered wig, set within a dark moulded frame.
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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

Mid-18th-century European portraiture often featured aristocratic and military figures portrayed with formal dignity, employing rich oil glazes, structured ceremonial attire or armour, and powdered wigs characteristic of the Rococo and late Baroque periods.

Artists during this era typically worked with hand-ground oil pigments bound in linseed oil, executed on natural linen or hemp canvas stretched over timber stretchers.

Authentic period portraits usually demonstrate fine age-related craquelure across the paint layer, historical timber stretcher marks, oxidisation on the canvas reverse, and period-appropriate brushwork techniques.

A classic portrait creates a focal point when hung above a mantelpiece, sideboard, or within a gallery wall, providing traditional contrast against contemporary neutral walls or rich dark paint shades.

Keep the painting away from direct sunlight, radiators, and high humidity, dusting the frame lightly with a soft, dry microfibre brush without touching the painted surface directly.
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