Kristina, Queen of Sweden

This portrait of Queen Kristina of Sweden was probably painted by David Beck in her coronation year, in 1650. Kristina (1626-1689) was the daughter of King Gustav II Adolf of the Vasa and Queen Maria Eleonora of the Brandenburg dynasty. During Kristina’s ten year old regency Stockholm became a meeting place for the great philosophers and scientists of her time. In 1654, she abdicated and settled down in Rome after converting to Catholicism. The portrait, which is typical of Beck’s so-called third type with shorter parting of her hair in the middle and more compact ringlets, was included among the paintings she brought with her to Rome. The painting has previously been attributed to Sébastien Bourdon.