Portrait of Anna Scheit, née Mem(m)inger

Beham employs oil paint to render subtle variations of light across the fabric and skin, achieving a tactile sense of texture. The handling of the drapery and the delicate modeling of the face illustrate the artist’s skill in combining Northern realism with a restrained, almost sculptural clarity of form.

The portrait entered the Fitzwilliam Museum’s holdings through acquisition in the early 20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its attribution to Bartolomeus Beham rests on stylistic comparison with documented works by the Beham brothers, confirming its place within the artist’s oeuvre of courtly portraiture.