Johann Georg Meyer

Germany (1813-1886)

Title unknown (portrait of a young woman), date unknown

Oil on canvas

Gift of Larry Hartford and Torleif Tandstad,

2016.1.19

 

Hubert Julian Stowitts

United States (1892-1953)

His Highness Pakubuwono X, Susuhunan of Solo, the First Ranking Ruler of Java, 1928

Presco secco (tempera) on canvas with gold-leaf.

Gift of Larry Hartford and Torleif Tandstad,

2016.1.1

East meets West in this portrait of a Javanese ruler by a Nebraska artist.

Pakubuwono X (r. 1893-1939), one of the most important of the Mataram line of rulers, dons a Western-style suit, hat, and shoes, complemented by Javanese sash, sword, and skirt. How does Stowitts' use of gold leaf in the background reinforce the impression of ruler's power and wealth?

 

Pierre Mignard I

France (1612-1695)

Title unknown (Portrait of King

Louis XIV), ca.1693

Oil on canvas

Gift of Larry Hartford and Torleif Tandstad,

2016.1.17

This portrait of King Louis XIV of France was commissioned by his lover, Françoise d'Aubigné, known at court as Madame de Maintenon. The king is reported to have said that "Madame de Maintenon knows how to love. There would be great pleasure in being loved by her." Historians believe that she was married to the king in a secret ceremony officiated by the Archbishop of Paris around 1683. How does having this portrait of the king in her private apartments speak to the power of Madame de Maintenon's intimate alliance with the Sun King?

 

Frans Pourbus, the Younger Flanders (1569-1622)

Title unknown (Louis XIII of France), date unknown

Oil on panel

Gift of Larry Hartford and Torleif Tandstad,

2016.1.12

 

William Wissing

The Netherlands (1656-1687)

Portrait of Mary of Modena, Duchess of York (1658-1718), ca. 1685

Oil on canvas

Gift of Larry Hartford and Torleif Tandstad,

2016.1.5

You may be surprised to learn that the woman in this Grand Manner portrait, Maria Beatrice Anna Margherita, was an Italian princess of the famous Este family of Modena, who became the wife of James, the duke of York and future King James II and Vil, in 1673. Here, she poses without the trappings of royalty and instead represents herself as an elegant lady, with a view of the landscape beyond. Netherlandish (Dutch and Flemish) portrait painters were a favorite of the British royal family for generations; how do you think Wissing incorporates the interest in landscape that was characteristic of Netherlandish painting from the Medieval period onwards?