Who painted Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau?

Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau was painted by Georg Desmarées in 1746.

Where can I see Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau?

Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau?

Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau

Georg Desmarées , 1746

Portrait of Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing-Hohenaschau is a paint painting by the Rococo painting artist Georg Desmarées. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Georg Desmarées painted this portrait around 1746, depicting Johann Max IV, Count of Preysing‑Hohenaschau. Executed in oil on canvas, the work now belongs to the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. The composition presents the count in a half‑length pose, set against a subdued interior that emphasizes his presence through careful modeling of light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown with long, curled white hair and dressed in an elaborate courtly costume, featuring a richly embroidered jacket and a prominent, lace‑trimmed collar. The presence of a table bearing documents suggests his administrative role and status within the noble hierarchy, while the dignified bearing conveys authority and cultivated refinement typical of 18th‑century aristocratic portraiture.

Technique & Style

Desmarées employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting a focused illumination on the figure with a darkened background to create a three‑dimensional effect.

Desmarées employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting a focused illumination on the figure with a darkened background to create a three‑dimensional effect. Fine brushwork renders the textures of silk, lace, and metal, while the subtle gradations of tone give the portrait a realistic yet formal quality, aligning it with the Baroque‑Rococo transition prevalent in German court painting of the period.

History & Provenance

After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Preysing family before eventually being acquired by the Berlin state museums. It has been part of the Gemäldegalerie's holdings since the early 20th century, where it is displayed as an example of Desmarées' portraiture and the visual culture of Bavarian nobility in the mid‑1700s.