Artwork
Sophia (1464–1512) of Poland
Sophia (1464–1512) of Poland is an oil painting by Franz Wolfgang Rohrich. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a genre portrait, the image represents its subject through direct figuration, focusing on her individual presence.
Executed in 1850 by Franz Wolfgang Rohrich, this oil painting functions as a formal portrait depicting Sophia Jagiellon (1464–1512), who held the title of Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach. The work's primary iconography is centered entirely on the likeness of the woman, serving as a visual record of her identity and status rather than illustrating a narrative scene or employing complex allegorical symbols. As a genre portrait, the image represents its subject through direct figuration, focusing on her individual presence.
The composition utilizes the medium of oil on canvas to capture the features of the historical figure, emphasizing her role as a specific noblewoman within the Jagiellon dynasty. The meaning of the piece is derived from its function as a commemorative representation of Sophia herself.
Technique & Style
Created in 1850 by Franz Wolfgang Rohrich, the portrait of Sophia Jagiellon is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The work is classified as a portrait genre painting, depicting the subject as a woman. The physical dimensions of the canvas measure 76.8 centimeters in height and 56.5 centimeters in width.
As an oil-on-canvas piece from the mid-19th century, the medium allows for the detailed rendering typical of the artist's portraiture style. The painting is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The formal presentation focuses on the likeness of the Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach, utilizing the fluid properties of oil paint to define the subject's features on the textile ground.
History & Provenance
The portrait depicting Sophia Jagiellon, Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach, was created in 1850 by the artist Franz Wolfgang Rohrich. Executed in oil paint on canvas, the work measures 76.8 by 56.5 centimeters. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located.
While the specific circumstances of its original commission and the detailed chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not delineated in the available records, the work's inception is firmly established as 1850. It is classified as a portrait genre piece within the museum's holdings.
The painting is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is listed as part of the museum's holdings. The work, an 1850 oil on canvas portrait, is attributed to Franz Wolfgang Rohrich and depicts Sophia Jagiellon, Margravine of Brandenburg‑Ansbach. The available documentation does not provide an explicit inventory or accession number for the piece, nor does it record any exhibition history beyond its presence in the museum's collection. Consequently, the only verifiable provenance detail is its current location within the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Overview
This oil painting, titled Sophia (1464–1512) of Poland, was created around 1850 by Franz Wolfgang Rohrich. It is a portrait depicting Sophia Jagiellon, who was Margravine of Brandenburg-Ansbach. The artwork is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a historical representation through the medium of oil paint.
Context
Franz Wolfgang Rohrich's creation of this portrait around 1850 places it firmly within the 19th century, long after Sophia Jagiellon's lifetime (1464–1512). This suggests the painting functions as a historical or commemorative portrait, likely based on earlier depictions or historical accounts rather than a live sitting. Such works often aimed to revive or preserve the image of significant historical figures for contemporary audiences.
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