Wilhelm IV of Bavaria

This is a great example of companion portraits of couples. These portraits are executed by employing a number of stylistic features that we also encounter in the portraits of Duke Wilhelm IV and his wife, Jacoba: the endeavour to present each member as a distinct individuality, while preserving the unity of the couple, the contrast between the dark complexion of the man and the white, enamel-like countenance of the lady, in the case of three-quarter presentation, the spouses turn their face to each other, albeit their eyes do not meet. The portraits are conceived, as if they were a single painting, split down the middle, with a very well realized continuity of presentation.The dating was done on the basis of the inscription between the coat of arms of Bavaria and of Baden, bearing the year 1526, which is found on the backside of the portrait of Wilhelm IV.©Dana Roxana Hrib, European Art Gallery Guidebook, Second edition, Sibiu 2011.