Artwork

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine, by Anthony van Dyck, unspecified, 1620
Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine, by Anthony van Dyck, unspecified, 1620

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Anthony van Dyck. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Technique & Style

The brushwork is refined and fluid, with a restrained palette that emphasizes subtle modeling of flesh tones and delicate rendering of fabric.

The work is an oil painting on canvas, executed in the early Baroque manner characteristic of van Dyck's mature portraiture. Rendered in 1620, it measures 21.8 cm × 17.3 cm and depicts Margaret of Lorraine in a dignified, three-quarter pose. The brushwork is refined and fluid, with a restrained palette that emphasizes subtle modeling of flesh tones and delicate rendering of fabric.

The composition balances intimate realism with courtly elegance, reflecting the sitter's aristocratic status. The painting remains well-preserved, retaining its original color saturation and structural integrity within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek.

History & Provenance

The work was created in 1620 as an oil painting on canvas, commissioned as a portrait of Margaret of Lorraine. It entered the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and has been displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich since its acquisition.

Overview

This 1620 canvas by Anthony van Dyck portrays Marguerite of Lorraine, a member of the European nobility. The work dates from a period when the Flemish artist had already established himself as an independent painter following his training with Peter Paul Rubens, and was ascending to prominence among continental courts. The painting now resides in the Alte Pinakothek collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter appears as a young woman with curly, shoulder-length hair, her face turned slightly right with an unsmiling, composed expression. A pearl necklace encircles her neck, while her right hand rests upon her stomach in a gesture that may suggest modesty, status, or perhaps pregnancy. Her left arm bends at the elbow, its hand concealed from view. The pose conveys aristocratic restraint and cultivated self-possession.

Portræt af en kvinde som Flora
Portræt af en kvinde som Flora, Anthony van Dyck

Artist & collection

Portrait of Anthony van Dyck

Artist

Anthony van Dyck

Sir Anthony van Dyck (; Dutch: Antoon van Dijck; 22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641) was a Flemish Baroque artist, who became the leading court painter in England after success in the Spanish Netherlands and Italy.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine?

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine was painted by Anthony van Dyck in 1620.

Where can I see Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine?

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine?

Portrait of Margaret of Lorraine is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.