Portrait of Maria Kitscher, Frau von Freyberg

1545

Hans Mielich

(German, 1516–1573)

Culture

Germany

Medium

oil on wood

Measurements

Framed: 81 x 62.5 x 8.5 cm (31 7/8 x 24 5/8 x 3 3/8 in.); Unframed: 61.4 x 46 cm (24 3/16 x 18 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Collection 1944.88

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Location

114 Late Northern Renaissance

Description

Maria von Freyberg was in the court of Albert V, Duke of Bavaria. However, as Lutherans, the family eventually fell from favor as Catholic political interests consolidated power in Bavaria. Mielich’s work for the Munich court included illustrating an inventory of the duchess’s jewelry, seen in the meticulous attention here to the sitter’s brooches, necklaces, and rings. The diamond and ruby ring on her left index finger would have slid apart to reveal a private message or image underneath the gems.