Artwork

Portrait of Duchess Margaretha of Landshut, Abbess of Neuburg, daughter of Duke Georg the Rich

Portrait of Duchess Margaretha of Landshut, Abbess of Neuburg, daughter of Duke Georg the Rich is an oil painting by the Late Mannerist artist Hans Werl. It dates from 1595 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Hans Werl’s 1595 oil portrait depicts Margaretha of Landshut, a noblewoman who served as abbess of Neuburg and was the daughter of Duke Georg the Rich. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich and presents the sitter in a solemn, contemplative pose that emphasizes her religious role.

Subject & Meaning

Margaretha is shown in the habit of an abbess, wearing a dark robe and a white coif, with a rosary clasped in her hands. The direct gaze and restrained expression convey a sense of devotion and authority, reflecting both her aristocratic lineage and her spiritual responsibilities within the convent.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting employs a pronounced chiaroscuro that models the figure against a deep, muted background. Light falls on the face and hands, creating volume and highlighting the texture of the fabric, while the surrounding darkness isolates the subject and reinforces the contemplative atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1595, the portrait entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Hans Werl, a lesser‑known painter of the late Renaissance, is based on stylistic analysis and archival references linking the work to the Bavarian ducal court.