Who painted Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren?

Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren was painted by Hans Schöpfer in 1564.

Where can I see Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren?

Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren?

Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren

Hans Schöpfer , 1564

Herzog Wilhelm V. (1548-1626) von Bayern im Alter von 16 Jahren is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Schöpfer. It dates from 1564 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting is a life-sized portrait of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, rendered when he was sixteen years old, as indicated by the work's title.

The painting is a life-sized portrait of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, rendered when he was sixteen years old, as indicated by the work's title. Created in 1564, it presents the young duke as the sole subject, consistent with its classification as a portrait. The canvas format and full-length dimensions of 200 by 100 centimeters support the dignified, formal presentation typical of princely likenesses of the period, in which the sitter is shown as an individual rather than within a narrative or allegorical scene.

As a representation of the Bavarian heir at the threshold of adulthood, the work functions both as a personal likeness and as a statement of dynastic identity, commemorating Wilhelm V during the early phase of his life before his later rule and his association with the Counter-Reformation in Bavaria.

Technique & Style

The portrait was executed on canvas by Hans Schöpfer (I) in 1564. It measures 200 cm in height and 100 cm in width, depicting Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, at the age of sixteen. The work belongs to the portrait genre and is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum's collection in Vienna.

History & Provenance

Hans Schöpfer (I) painted this portrait of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, in 1564 while the sitter was sixteen years old. The work entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Innsbruck, where it has remained since its creation, and was first documented in the inventory of Schloss Ambras before being transferred to the museum's holdings.

The portrait of Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria at age sixteen, painted by Hans Schöpfer (I) in 1564, is held by the Kunsthistorisches Museum. According to the Wikimedia/Wikidata record for the work, it forms part of the museum's collection and is located there. The canvas measures 200 cm in height and 100 cm in width.

No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.

Context

The portrait of Herzog Wilhelm V. von Bayern painted by Hans Schöpfer I in 1564 was regarded in its time as a vivid record of the young duke's aristocratic poise and martial aspirations, qualities celebrated in contemporary court literature and heraldic displays. 19th‑century art historians later framed the work as a key example of early Northern Mannerist portraiture, emphasizing its technical precision and the sitter’s symbolic role within Bavarian dynastic propaganda. 20th‑century scholarship linked the painting to the broader tradition of Habsburg‑style portraiture, noting its influence on later court portraitists who sought to blend realism with idealized representation.

Legacy

The portrait of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, painted by Hans Schöpfer the Elder in 1564, has been recognized for its role in shaping the visual representation of Bavarian dukes during the Renaissance. Its inclusion in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum has contributed to ongoing scholarly discussions about court portraiture and dynastic identity in late 16th-century Central Europe. The work is frequently cited in studies examining the artistic legacy of Hans Schöpfer and the cultural significance of portraiture within the Bavarian aristocracy.

Research on the painting’s influence highlights its impact on subsequent generations of court artists, particularly in the development of formalized portrait conventions that emphasized authority and lineage. Its presence in a major institutional collection has ensured continued public and academic attention, reinforcing its status as a key example of Renaissance portraiture in the German-speaking lands.

Overview

This 1564 portrait on canvas, created by Hans Schöpfer, is a representation of Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, at the age of 16. It is currently housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum.