King John III

This painting and its pair, represent John III (1502-1557), King of Portugal between 1521 and 1557, and his wife, the Queen Catherine of Austria (1507-1578), daughter of Philip I of Castile and Joanna of Castile, the Mad, and sister of Emperor Charles V. John is portrayed with short hair, thick beard that is going blonde, wearing a black coat and beret. Catherine of Austria, is represented richly dressed with a dark velvet dress, embroidered in golf thread, with a coif on her head, a tiara of pearls and gold and pearl earrings. It is a replica of the original portrait by the Flemish Master Anthonis Moro, made in 1522 (Prado Museum, Madrid). The actual portraits are attributed to Cristovão Lopes, son of Gregório Lopes, successor in the role of royal painter from 1550.