Private collection, New York.

School of Georg Desmarées (German, 1697-1776) Portrait of Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria, half-length in armor Oil on canvas 37-1/2 x 30-3/4 inches (95.3 x 78.1 cm) PROVENANCE: Private collection, New York. Known as "the much beloved," Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Bavaria Maximilian III Joseph (1727-1777) was the last of the Bavarian branch of the house of Wittelsbach. In this portrait, which derives from a likeness by the Swedish-born Georg Desmarées who spent his career in Germany, Maximilian III Joseph wears the Spanish Golden Fleece (given him in 1742) as well as the star of the Bavarian Order of St. George. The red ducal crown rests behind him. Maximilian III Joseph was a man of the Enlightenment, and did much to encourage agriculture, industry, and the exploitation of minerals, while founding the Academy of Sciences at Munich and abolishing Jesuit censorship of the press. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Lined canvas. Thin vertical line of abrasion running along right edge, approximately 1-inch inward from edge. Some yellowing to the varnish layer. Finely patterned craquelure throughout. Some scattered minor surface abrasions and pinpoint losses. Mild surface dirt and dust. Not examined out of frame due to size. Under UV: varnish fluoresces green unevenly. Brushy retouching at edges and in the background. A few additional small dots of more finely applied retouching scattered throughout. Some finely applied retouching to the figure's face, specifically his chin just below center of bottom lip, along proper left eyelid and brow, and horizontally across the tops of his cheekbones and across the bridge of his nose. Framed Dimensions 43.75 X 37 X 2.75 Inches