Artwork
Portrait of Louis II, king van Hungary
Portrait of Louis II, king van Hungary is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Krell. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1522 by Hans Krell, this portrait of Louis II is an oil painting on a wooden panel. The work measures 31.4 cm in height and 27.4 cm in width, presenting a compact format typical of the period. As a formal portrait, the piece focuses on the depiction of the King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia, utilizing oil paint to render the subject's features on the rigid support.
History & Provenance
While the museum location is confirmed, the provided sources do not specify an inventory or accession number for this work.
The portrait of Louis II, King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia, was created by the artist Hans Krell in 1522. Executed in oil paint on a panel support, the work measures 31.4 cm in height and 27.4 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Specific details regarding the original commission, the patron who ordered the work, or the intermediate steps of its ownership chain prior to its current location are not provided in the available records.
The Portrait of Louis II, King of Hungary, is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. While the museum location is confirmed, the provided sources do not specify an inventory or accession number for this work. The available documentation also contains no records of the painting's exhibition history.
Overview
Hans Krell, a German painter of the Northern Renaissance, executed an oil portrait of Louis II, monarch of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, in 1522. The work, now part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings, presents the young king in a formal, frontal pose against a uniform green backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is Louis II, depicted with a sober expression, short beard and moustache, and dressed in regal attire that includes a black fur hat trimmed with gold, a jeweled chain, and a white collar edged with gold. The Latin inscription above his head identifies him, underscoring the portrait’s function as a visual assertion of his authority.
Context
Created during the early years of Louis II’s reign, the portrait reflects the political ties between the Holy Roman Empire’s German courts and the Hungarian monarchy. It also illustrates the Northern Renaissance’s emphasis on realistic likeness and the use of luxurious materials to convey status.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Krell (c. 1490 – 1565 or 1586), also Krehl ou Kreil, was a German painter of the Renaissance, mainly known as a portrait painter. He is thought to have been born in Crailsheim or Ansbach, and died in Leipzig. Hans…
