Who painted Portrait of Peter Canisius?

Portrait of Peter Canisius was painted by Unknown in 1546.

Where can I see Portrait of Peter Canisius?

Portrait of Peter Canisius is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of Peter Canisius?

Portrait of Peter Canisius is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Portrait of Peter Canisius

Unknown , 1546

Portrait of Peter Canisius is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Unknown. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is an oil painting portraying a dignified figure in a dark, high‑collared robe.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Peter Canisius, identified as the main subject of the work. Created in 1546 by the Monogrammist AE, the portrait presents the figure in a standard format for the genre. As a religious figure, Canisius is shown simply, with the focus on his likeness rather than elaborate symbolic attributes. The work serves as a visual record of the individual during the mid-16th century.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1546, this portrait utilizes oil paint applied to a lime wood panel. The work measures 59.8 cm in height and 40 cm in width. As a product of the mid-16th century, the piece is classified as a painting within the portrait genre, depicting the figure of Peter Canisius. The combination of oil medium and wooden support reflects standard materials for panel paintings of this era.

History & Provenance

Portrait of Peter Canisius is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is accessioned under the inventory number Bavarian State Painting Collections.

The work titled Portrait of Peter Canisius was painted by the Monogrammist AE in 1546 using oil paint on a lime panel. It was created as a portrait of Peter Canisius and is part of the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The painting measures 59.8 cm in height and 40 cm in width. Its creation dates to the year 1546, placing it firmly within the mid‑sixteenth‑century artistic milieu of Germany.

Portrait of Peter Canisius is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is accessioned under the inventory number Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. It was included in the exhibition "German Renaissance Portraits from the 15th and 16th Centuries," shown at the museum in 2018.

Context

The work stands as an early example of portraiture within the Northern Renaissance, reflecting the period's emphasis on individual representation and devotional imagery. Contemporary scholarship identifies it as a product of the Monogrammist AE tradition active in Augsburg circa 1546, situating the piece within broader discussions of workshop practices and regional artistic identity. Its depiction of Peter Canisius aligns with Counter-Reformation themes of saintly veneration, though reception during the 16th century remains sparsely documented.

Modern scholarship situates the painting within the oeuvre of the Monogrammist, emphasizing its technical precision and role in the evolution of portraiture in German art.

The attribution to the Monogrammist AE is supported by material analysis and stylistic continuity with other signed works, reinforcing its significance in understanding 16th-century workshop dynamics. The painting's inclusion in the Bavarian State Painting Collections since its acquisition underscores its recognized historical value, while its display at the Alte Pinakothek facilitates ongoing study of Renaissance portraiture within institutional contexts.

Overview

The work is an oil painting portraying a dignified figure in a dark, high‑collared robe. He rests his hands on a ledge, a ring visible on one finger, and his expression is solemn, framed by a short beard and mustache. Behind him a muted landscape suggests a city with towers and water, while Latin inscriptions run across the top and bottom of the canvas.