Artwork

Christoph von Laiming in His 59th Year

Christoph von Laiming in His 59th Year, by Hans Wertinger, unspecified, 1517
Christoph von Laiming in His 59th Year, by Hans Wertinger, unspecified, 1517

Christoph von Laiming in His 59th Year is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Wertinger. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Christoph von Laiming in His 59th Year is a 1517 portrait by Hans Wertinger, housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work depicts a seated, elderly man in attire indicative of wealth, set against a detailed, symbolic background.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Christoph von Laiming, is portrayed at 59, conveying maturity and status through his luxurious clothing and accessories, such as a brown fur hat and a string of beads, suggesting a life of comfort and possibly religious or contemplative inclinations.

Technique & Style

Wertinger employs a rich color palette and chiaroscuro to achieve depth, juxtaposing the subject's dark, textured attire with a vibrant, ornate background featuring a gold-framed archway adorned with fruit and flowers, enhancing the overall sense of dimensionality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1517, the painting is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, though specific details of its acquisition or earlier ownership are not highlighted in available information.

Context

Painted during the early 16th century, this work reflects the artistic trends of its time, blending realism in portraiture with symbolic elements, common in European Renaissance art, particularly in the detailed rendering of the subject's environment.

Legacy

While not widely discussed in broad art historical narratives, the painting provides insight into early 16th-century portraiture techniques and the representation of social status during the Renaissance, contributing to the museum's collection of period pieces.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hans Wertinger

Hans Wertinger (1465–1533) was an artist, born in Landshut.