Artwork
Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising
Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Hans Schöpfer. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Hans Schöpfer’s 1532 oil portrait depicts the Bavarian noble Philipp, Count Palatine and Bishop of Freising. Executed in the early sixteenth century, the work is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it is displayed among other German Renaissance pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented in formal ecclesiastical attire, a dark fur‑lined robe and a black hat, with a white ruff visible beneath a high collar. The dignified pose and the small object he grasps in his right hand emphasize his clerical authority and noble status, reflecting the dual secular and religious roles he held.
Technique & Style
Schöpfer employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the illuminated face to emerge from a deep, muted background. The contrast of light on the flesh against the shadowed drapery creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the restrained palette and smooth brushwork underline the portrait’s sober, courtly character.
History & Provenance
Created in 1532, the painting entered the Bavarian royal collection before being transferred to the Alte Pinakothek after the museum’s foundation in the early nineteenth century. Its documentation traces a continuous ownership within the region, confirming its authenticity as an original work by Schöpfer.
Artist & collection
![A Member of the de Hondecoeter Family [obverse], by Antwerp 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/antwerp-16th-century--a-member-of-the-de-hondecoeter-family-obverse--56718cc2d35bf2df-w320.webp)
