Late 17th Century German School Antique Oil on Canvas Portrait of Prince-Bishop Philipp Christoph von Sötern (1567-1652)

This slightly naive Late 17thC German School antique oil on canvas portrait by an unknown hand is after the original engraving by the German Engraver Wolfgang Kilian (1581 – 1662) and depicts Prince-Bishop Philipp Christoph von Sötern (1567-1652).

The painting bears an inscription and his armorial.

Philipp Christoph von Sötern (11th December 1567 – 7th February 1652) was the Prince-Bishop of Speyer, Germany, from 1610 to 1652 and the Archbishop-Elector of Trier, Germany, from 1623 to 1652. The chapter of the Cathedral of Trier elected Sötern as Archbishop of Trier in 1623; his appointment was confirmed by Pope Urban VIII in 1624. As Archbishop, Sötern was unpopular with the people of Trier and his office pursuing a rigid financial policy and appointing members of his family to high office. The people of Trier asked Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II for assistance, and in 1630, the Emperor sent Habsburg troops to occupy the Archbishopric (his office). Sötern retook the Archbishopric in 1632 with the assistance of the French, but was imprisoned in Linz from 1635 to 1645 after Spanish Habsburg troops retook Trier. 

Presented in a gilt gesso frame.

Provenance – Acquired within Northern Europe.

Condition – Surface wear and thinning to the paint surface due to historic cleaning. The canvas has been laid on to later wooden board. The frame has minor surface abrasions. Please refee to the images. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size – 31 x 25 cm (12 1/4″ x 13 3/4″) unframed, with frame 39 x 33 cm (15 1/2″ x 13″)