Portrait of Margaret of Parma

Gallery 353, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Portrait of Margaret of Parma

c. 1559

Antonis Mor (Netherlandish, c. 1512/16–c. 1576)

The court painter Anthonis Mor probably made this portrait of Margaret, Duchess of Parma (1522-1586), around the time her half-brother, Philip II of Spain, appointed her to be governor of the Netherlands in August of 1559. The cross shape of her broach refers to the symbol of both their patron saints, Margaret and Philip. Mor painted over an earlier dress and hanging pearl necklace to depict the somber cloak and necklace seen here, most likely in order to acknowledge Margaret's appointment and new authority. The pearls refer to her name, as "margarita" is the Latin word for pearl.

Gallery 353, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Portrait of Margaret of Parma

Date:

c. 1559

Artist:

Antonis Mor (Netherlandish, c. 1512/16–c. 1576)

Medium:

Oil on panel, transferred to canvas

Dimensions:

38 1/2 x 28 1/4 inches (97.8 x 71.8 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

John G. Johnson Collection, 1917

Accession Number:

Cat. 428

Geography:

Made in Netherlands (historical name, 15th-16th century), Europe

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Gallery 353, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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