Portrait of Emperor Maximilian and his family

Executed in oil paint, Strigel's work exemplifies characteristics of Northern Renaissance portraiture through its meticulous detail. The artist renders the sitters in opulent, dark garments accented with vibrant red and gold, highlighting their wealth and status. A subtle, distant landscape featuring hills and water provides a backdrop. The formal arrangement, with figures posed seriously and hands resting deliberately, contributes to the painting's dignified and authoritative tone.

Bernhard Strigel, born around 1461 in Memmingen, was a prominent painter closely affiliated with the court of Emperor Maximilian I. During his career, Strigel was commissioned for both religious subjects and numerous portraits, reflecting his royal patronage. This particular dynastic portrait, created in 1515, has since become part of the esteemed collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains today.