Bernhard Strigel (1460-1528)
Oil on Pinewood, H. 72,8 cm, W. 60,4 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Picture Gallery (Gemäldegalerie)
Inv.-No. 832
The imperial diplomat Johannes Cuspinian probably commissioned this painting in 1520 in memory of a historic event - the Congress of Vienna where, in 1515, the double wedding that united the children of King Wladislav/Vladislav II of Bohemia and Hungary - Anna and Ludwig - and the grandchildren of Emperor Maximilian - Maria and one of his two grandsons Charles or Ferdinand - was agreed and celebrated. The family portrait was painted on the inside panel of the left wing of an altarpiece executed for Cuspinian’s private chapel. Standing next to Maximilian in the background are the Emperor’s deceased wife, Maria of Burgundy, and their son Phillip. In front of the Emperor on the right is the adolescent Ludwig of Hungary, and, on the left, his grandsons Charles and Ferdinand. MP