Who painted Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising?

Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising was painted by Hans Wertinger in 1515.

Where can I see Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising?

Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising?

Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising

Hans Wertinger , 1515

Pfalzgraf Philipp, Bischof von Freising is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Wertinger. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Hans Wertinger’s 1515 oil portrait depicts Pfalzgraf Philipp, who also served as Bishop of Freising. The work is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it is displayed among other early‑Renaissance German paintings.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown seated, hands clasped, wearing the black ecclesiastical robe and cap typical of a bishop of the period. His expression is sober, with a faint frown that conveys the solemn responsibilities of both his secular and clerical offices.

Technique & Style

Wertinger renders the figure with a restrained palette, emphasizing the contrast between the dark garments and the illuminated face. Light falls across the cheek, creating a smooth, almost polished skin tone, while deeper shadows model the folds of the robe. The background features a green‑blue wall adorned with gilded leaf and fruit motifs set within an elegant curved frame.

History & Provenance

Created in the early sixteenth century, the portrait entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings as part of the museum’s core collection of German Renaissance art. No further changes of ownership are recorded beyond its acquisition by the state museum.

Context

The painting reflects the visual conventions of German court portraiture, where dignitaries were presented in modest yet richly textured attire, without overt display of jewelry. Wertinger’s approach aligns with contemporary trends that favored sober realism over elaborate ornamentation.