Who painted Portrait of Anna von Wehingen?

Portrait of Anna von Wehingen was painted by Unknown in 1550.

Where can I see Portrait of Anna von Wehingen?

Portrait of Anna von Wehingen is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of Anna von Wehingen?

Portrait of Anna von Wehingen is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of Anna von Wehingen

Unknown , 1550

Portrait of Anna von Wehingen is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is a monochrome portrait depicting a woman dressed in a dark, high‑collared gown with buttoned sleeves.

About this work

Overview

The work is a monochrome portrait depicting a woman dressed in a dark, high‑collared gown with buttoned sleeves. She wears a beaded necklace and a modest headpiece featuring a cross, her hands folded before her. The figure is set against an unadorned, dark background, emphasizing her solemn bearing.

Subject & Meaning

The inscription at the lower edge identifies the sitter as Anna von Wehingen, noting her age as thirty‑one at the time of the painting. The restrained attire and the presence of a cross suggest a portrayal intended to convey modesty and perhaps a connection to religious or familial status.

Technique & Style

Executed in black and white, the portrait relies on tonal contrast rather than color to model form. Fine detailing appears in the rendering of the small, round buttons and the beaded necklace, while the smooth handling of the dark background creates a flat, timeless setting typical of early portraiture.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, a museum renowned for its holdings of European art. Its acquisition history is not extensively documented, but the work has remained within the institution’s holdings, accessible to scholars and visitors.

Context

Portraits of this type were common among the Germanic aristocracy in the late 16th to early 17th centuries, serving both as records of lineage and as visual affirmations of social standing. The inclusion of age and name aligns with contemporary conventions for commemorative portraiture.