Who painted Ferdinand Maria von Bayern?

Ferdinand Maria von Bayern was painted by Paul Mignard in 1665.

Where can I see Ferdinand Maria von Bayern?

Ferdinand Maria von Bayern is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Ferdinand Maria von Bayern?

Ferdinand Maria von Bayern is associated with French Classical Baroque.

Artwork

Ferdinand Maria von Bayern

Paul Mignard , 1665

Ferdinand Maria von Bayern is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Paul Mignard. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

He wears a dark cape draped over his left shoulder, and his right arm is bent at the elbow, with his hand resting on a dark object.

This painting depicts a man with long, dark hair, dressed in a dark jacket adorned with a light-colored ruffled collar and cuffs. He wears a dark cape draped over his left shoulder, and his right arm is bent at the elbow, with his hand resting on a dark object.

The man's attire suggests a formal or ceremonial setting, possibly from the 17th century. The painting's style and composition are reminiscent of portraits from that era.

To learn more about the artistic techniques used in this painting, explore the works of artist Paul Mignard.

Overview

Paul Mignard’s 1665 oil portrait presents Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria, in a composed, formal pose typical of mid‑seventeenth‑century French court painting. The work is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection, illustrating the cross‑national exchange of artistic styles between France and the German states during the Baroque era.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, Ferdinand Maria, is shown with long dark hair, a dark jacket trimmed with a light‑coloured ruffled collar and cuffs, and a cape draped over his left shoulder. His right arm is bent, hand resting on an unseen object, a pose that conveys both authority and a measured restraint appropriate to his political rank.

Technique & Style

Executed in the French Classical Baroque manner, the portrait emphasizes smooth modelling of flesh, subtle chiaroscuro, and a restrained colour palette. Mignard’s careful rendering of textiles and the delicate handling of the ruffled details reflect his expertise in portraiture and his family’s long tradition of refined academic painting.

History & Provenance

Created in 1665, the painting entered the Bavarian royal collection and later was transferred to the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on public display. Its provenance traces a direct line from the Elector’s court to the museum, underscoring the work’s role as a historical document of Bavarian leadership.

Context

Mignard worked during a period when French artists were sought after by foreign courts for their polished portrait style. The painting aligns with contemporary French court portraits that combined regal symbolism with a naturalistic approach, situating Ferdinand Maria within a broader European visual language of power.

Ludwig Anton in goldverzierter Rüstung, Wolfgang Ludwig Hopfer

Artist & collection

Artist

Paul Mignard

Paul Mignard (27 December 1639, in Avignon – 15 October 1691, in Lyon) was a French painter and etcher. Born into an important artistic family with its origins in Troyes, he is known mainly as a portrait painter.