Who painted Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull?

Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull was painted by Peter Gertner.

Where can I see Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull?

Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull?

Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull

Peter Gertner

Portrait of Elector Ludwig V von der Pfalz, the Peacefull is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Peter Gertner. It is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, you might want to look up Peter Gertner.

This painting depicts a man with a long white beard, wearing a dark hat and coat. He is seated, with his right hand resting on a table in front of him. The background is a cloudy sky with a faint landscape visible behind the subject.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest a formal portrait from the 16th century. The artist has used oil paint to create a detailed and realistic image of the subject.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist who created this work, you might want to look up Peter Gertner.

Overview

Peter Gertner’s oil portrait, executed in 1549, presents Elector Ludwig V of the Palatinate in a seated pose. The work resides in Munich’s Alte Pinakothek and exemplifies the formal court portraiture typical of mid‑sixteenth‑century German art, emphasizing the sitter’s status through compositional restraint and detailed rendering.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is the Elector Ludwig V, identifiable by his white beard, dark hat and elaborate coat, symbols of his noble rank. His right hand rests on a table, suggesting a contemplative demeanor, while the distant, cloud‑filled sky and muted landscape provide a sober backdrop that underscores his political gravitas rather than personal intimacy.

Technique & Style

Gertner employed oil on canvas to achieve a high degree of realism, evident in the fine modeling of facial features and the texture of the fabrics. The palette is restrained, dominated by deep earth tones and subtle chiaroscuro, which enhances the three‑dimensionality of the figure and reflects the Northern Renaissance emphasis on meticulous detail.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after Ludwig V’s accession, the portrait likely served a diplomatic function within the Elector’s court. It entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in the 19th century, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of German Renaissance portraiture, documenting the visual culture of the Palatinate’s ruling class.

Context

The painting belongs to a period when German princes commissioned portraits to assert authority and lineage. Gertner, active in the courts of Württemberg and the Palatinate, was known for his ability to convey both the individuality and the official stature of his subjects, aligning with contemporary expectations of princely representation.