Artwork

Portrait of Ludwig Joseph von Welden, Prince-Bishop of Freising (1727-1788)

Portrait of Ludwig Joseph von Welden, Prince-Bishop of Freising (1727-1788) is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. This portrait depicts Ludwig Joseph von Welden, Prince-Bishop of Freising, in a formal seated pose.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows Ludwig Joseph von Welden in full episcopal regalia, his mitre and crozier marking him as Prince-Bishop of Freising. He holds a papal brief, symbolizing his direct authority from the Holy See and underscoring the political reach of his ecclesiastical office. The work therefore conveys both religious office and secular power within the Electorate of Bavaria.

Technique & Style

The physical support measures 88 cm in height by 70 cm in width, indicating a moderately sized upright portrait format suited to a formal ecclesiastical sitter.

The work is classified as a painting and falls within the portrait genre. According to the record, it is attributed to Andreas Hölzel and dated to 1760, with the canvas held in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek. The physical support measures 88 cm in height by 70 cm in width, indicating a moderately sized upright portrait format suited to a formal ecclesiastical sitter.

The medium and specific handling are not detailed in the available documentation; no information is provided regarding paint type, ground, brushwork, or stylistic school beyond the attribution and date. Likewise, the condition of the work, any restoration history, and descriptive notes on palette or compositional approach are absent from the sourced records.

History & Provenance

The portrait of Ludwig Joseph von Welden, Prince-Bishop of Freising, was executed in 1760. While one record lists the creator as unknown, the work is attributed to Andreas Hölzel within the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The painting currently resides in the Alte Pinakothek as part of this state collection.

Specific details regarding the original commission, the identity of the patron, or the ownership history prior to its acquisition by the Bavarian State Painting Collections are not provided in the available records.

The painting is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections, specifically at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. It was created in 1760 and entered the collection under the accession number BStGS 3258. The work has been part of the Alte Pinakothek's display since its acquisition, forming part of the museum's permanent exhibition of 18th-century Bavarian portraiture.

Overview

This portrait depicts Ludwig Joseph von Welden, Prince-Bishop of Freising, in a formal seated pose. The black-and-white image shows the subject in clerical attire with a cross necklace, set against a dark background.