Woman with a Jasmine Flower

The collection of the Brukenthal National Museum amounts to a large number of 18th century paintings by artists active in Transylvania, mostly in the South of the province. They bear testimony to the richness of the artistic life in the area, under the influence of the Central-European, especially Austrian art. The portrait is the prevalent genre, emphasizing the social position of the character and the descriptive-decorative elements. The portrait represents Agnetha Czekelius von Rosenfeld, the wife of Michael Czekelius von Rosenfeld, who was governmental secretary and mayor of the town of Sibiu between 1730 and 1739. The inscription on the back of the painting reveals the age of the model (36) and mentions the date when it was finished. Besides a true rendering of the model, the artist is interested in characterising the woman through floral symbols (frequently used in European women portraits till the end of the 18th century); they hint to one of the features most appreciated in women, purity, as well as to the ephemeralness of her beauty. The artist treats every little detail of the rich apparel – befitting her social status – all the details, with punctiliousness: the lacework, the elegant embroideries, the girdle, the stays, the jewellery, all gold and silver with precious stones and pearls. ©Iulia Mesea, Galeria de Artă Românească.Ghid, Sibiu 2011.