February 24-26th 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2017
Oil on canvas, 28" x 25" relined. Unframed. Portrait of Leopold I (1640-1705) anointed King of Hungary, Bohemia and Serbia and elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1658. Leopold's reign was marked with conflicts with the Ottoman Empire in the east and with his French cousin, Louis XIV, in the west. His military career was marked with great successes against the Turks, recovering most of the Kingdom of Hungary from their hands. However, in his last war with the French coalition, the results were less than spectacular, although there were no material losses in terms of Austrian territory. This appears to be a court portrait, possibly original to the period, but likely a later 18th century copy. Condition is very good overall; despite some recent, long scratches to the run from the background to Leopold's armor but could be easily restored and do not affect the face of the sitter.