Emperor Maximilian I.
dated 1502 | Ambrogio de Predis
When Emperor Maximilian I. married Bianca Maria Sforza, niece of Ludovico il Moro, the latter sent his court painter Ambrogio de’Predis to Innsbruck in 1493 so that the couple might be painted. This portrait with the later date of 1502 was completed based on a study made at this time. The rather regressive style of a master who had been shown to have worked with Leonardo as early as 1483 may be explained by the highly official function of the portrait, or even more so, the personality depicted. The signature is the guarantee of the work’s authenticity.
When Emperor Maximilian I. married Bianca Maria Sforza, niece of Ludovico il Moro, the latter sent his court painter Ambrogio de’Predis to Innsbruck in 1493 so that the couple might be painted. This portrait with the later date of 1502 was completed based on a study made at this time. The rather regressive style of a master who had been shown to have worked with Leonardo as early as 1483 may be explained by the highly official function of the portrait, or even more so, the personality depicted. The signature is the guarantee of the work’s authenticity.
Artist:
Ambrogio de Predis (um 1455 Mailand ? - nach 1508) DNB
Depiction/Person:
Maximilian I. (1477-1519), seit 1493 deutscher König, 1508 Kaiser (1459 - 1519) DNB
Time:
dated 1502
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Lombard
Material/technology:
oak wood
Dimensions:
Painting dimensions: 44 cm x 30.3 cm
Frame dimensions: 61 cm x 48.5 cm x 4.5 cm
depth including climate box: 6.5 cm
weight (including frame and climate box): 5 kg
Signed
Inscribed at lower left: Ambrose de pdis.mlanen. pinxit. 1502
Inscribed
Über der Bez. links unten: MAX. RO. REX
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 4431
Provenance
Coll. Ambras