316. MICHAEL DAHL. Attributed to. Portrait of English nobleman in long wig.

MICHAEL DAHL, attributed to Sweden/England 1659-1743 Portrait of English nobleman in long wig Bear signature. Oil on canvas, 76.5 x 63 cm.

On the back certificate signed by art historian Wilhelm Nisser, docent at Uppsala University, dated February 19, 1940.

PROVENANCE Stockholms Auktionsverk, Quality auction, November 1973, catalog no. 375, Swedish private collection (purchased by the current owner at the above auction) Mikael Dahl was a Swedish portrait painter active mainly in England. He was the most internationally known Swedish artist of his time. He learned the technique of baroque painting at a young age in David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl's studio and from the Hungarian-born draughtsman Martin Hannibal. In the summer of 1682, the young student traveled to London and then set out on a longer art trip to Paris and Rome. In the latter city he painted a portrait of Queen Kristina in 1687.

After his stay in Italy, Michael Dahl returned to London and quickly emerged as a worthy challenger to the German-born court painter Godfrey Kneller, who was the most respected portrait painter at court. Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset, became in England Michael Dahl's main benefactor and he received several commissions from him. He also received the honorable commission to portray Queen Anne and her consort, George of Denmark.

In England, Michael Dahl is represented at the National Portrait Gallery and in Sweden he can be found at Gripsholm with a portrait of the young Karl XII, at the National Museum in Stockholm and at the Norrköping Art Museum.