PILO, Carl Gustaf - b. 1711 Runtuna, d. 1793 Stockholm

Swedish portrait painter. In about 1740 he settled in Copenhagen, where he became court painter and director of the Academy, but he left for Stockholm in 1772 because of strained relations between Denmark and Sweden. He continued his success in his home country, working for the royal family and becoming director of the Academy.

Pilo’s best-known work is the huge Coronation of Gustavus III (begun 1782, Nationalmuseum, Stockholm); although it was left unfinished at his death. It is considered one of the masterpieces of Swedish painting.

Pilo’s style was characterized by nervously sensitive drawing and refined colouring in a personal Rococo vein.

Portrait of Frederik V in Anointment Robe

In 1660 the Danish monarchy went from being an elective monarchy to absolutism, and Danish kings were anointed rather than crowned. The Swedish artist Carl Gustaf Pilo became a court painter in the Danish royal household in 1747, the same year that Frederik V was anointed King.

During the anointing ceremony, the king’s brow, chest, and right wrist were anointed, and indeed Pilo made reference to these specifics by letting the king’s brow catch the light and letting his right hand be ungloved.