German School, circa 1675

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Description

Portrait of Duke Johann Friedrich of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Calenberg (1625-1679); and his wife, Duchess Benedicta (1652-1730)
A pair, both oil on canvas
Each: 110 by 79 cm. (2)

Three-quarter length, standing, he wearing silver and gold embroidered cap over armour

Catalogue Note

Johann Friedrich (1625-79) was the third son of Georg, Duke of Brunswick -Lüneberg-Calenberg(1583-1641) and the only one of four brothers who converted to the Catholic faith. He ruled as an absolute sovereign in the manner of his ally King Louis XIV of France. In emulation of the Palace at Versailles he commenced the building of the palace and gardens at Herrenhausen in 1666. This was later brought to completion after 1680 by his sister-in-law the Duchess Sophie (1630-1714). In 1676 he appointed Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz as Librarian and Counsellor to his court. He died in 1679 without male descendants.

Provenance:
Herrenhaus Anlage 1893 Inv. Nr. 462

Literature:
J. Molthan, Verzeichniss der Bildhauerwerke und Gemälde welche sich in den Königlich Hannoverschen Schlössern und Gebäuden, Hanover 1844, p.105, nos. 41 and 42.