Sächsischer Hofportraitist des 16. Jahrhunder... Lot n° 308

Portrait of Frederick William I of Saxe-Weimar Oil on canvas. 97 x 79 cm. Framed. The duke is depicted here at the age of 26, life-size, in a half-length portrait facing right, against a dark background. The black cap with down feathers and pearl trim and the white collar frame the reddish-bearded face. The imperious, distant gaze is directed towards the viewer. His right hand holds leather gloves, the left the pommel of the sword. The black coat, trimmed with fur, leaves the doublet free, over which a heavy gold chain is laid. Of interest here are the horizontal gold borders on a greenish, slashed textile background as the equivalent of the Saxon coat of arms. In contrast to the later portraits of Saxon rulers created by Lukas Cranach and his workshop, which can be immediately classified on the basis of their style, little is known about the earlier court portraitists. So here is still to hope for clarification of the painter. Also for the known, somewhat later portrait of Frederick William I, which shows him in armor and with a dog, no painter's name has survived. In the picture inserted the coat of arms of the line Saxony-Weimar as well as the accompanying inscription given: "V.G.G. (=von Gottes Gnaden) FRIDERICus WIL/HELMUS DVX SAX:/AETAT: ANNO 26 - / 1589". Literature: Cf. Johann Gerhard Gruner, Geschichte Friederich Wilhelms I. Herzogs zu Sachsen. A contribution to the history of the House of Saxony. Koburg 1791. Cf. Sebastian Kusche, Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, in: Institut für Sächsische Geschichte und Volkskunde (ed.), Sächsische Biografie, Dresden. A.R. (1331231) (11) Saxon Court portraitist of the 16th century PORTRAIT OF FRIEDRICH WILHELM I, DUKE OF SAXE-WEIMAR Oil on canvas. 97 x 79 cm. The duke is depicted here life-size, aged 26, in half-length portrait to the right against a dark background. A black cap with down feathers and pearl trimmings and a white collar frame his face with a reddish beard. His commanding, distanced gaze is directed towards the viewer. His right hand holds leather gloves, his left the pommel of the sword. The black fur-trimmed cloak reveals a doublet with a heavy gold chain. An interesting detail are the horizontal gold borders against a greenish, slit cloth background corresponding to the Saxon coat of arms. In contrast to later portraits of the Saxon rulers created by Lucas Cranach and his workshop, which can be attributed immediately based on their style, hardly anything is known about the earlier court portraitists.