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ID #SA1228603
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£2,800
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Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting
Brave Fine Art
for sale €3,276     $3,556
£2,800
Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art

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Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

17th century
For Sale by Brave Fine Art
Description

This striking mid-17th-century German oil painting depicts Gustavus Adolphus Meller (or Müller) of Erdingen and Wildenstein at the age of 36. An inscription identifies the sitter as "Junker Gust. Ad. Meller v. Erdingen v. Wildenstein. Anno Dom. 1654. AET. 36", preserving not only his name but also his rank and age. The inscription corresponds closely with documentary records associated with Schloss Wildenstein.

The portrait belongs to a generation shaped by one of Europe's most turbulent periods. Gustavus Adolphus was born around 1618, the very year in which the Thirty Years' War began. Family records connect the Meller (or Müller) family with military service during that devastating conflict, while later documents place Gustavus Adolphus at Schloss Wildenstein, where he became associated with the estate during the 1650s.

The sitter is dressed in a dark coat with a crisp white linen collar, while his appearance is defined by the elegantly groomed moustache and pointed beard fashionable among German noblemen during the period. His steady gaze and composed expression suggest a man of education and standing.

Although the artist remains unidentified beyond the initials H.L., the portrait displays the handling expected of a capable provincial master. Soft modelling across the face contrasts effectively with the dark background, drawing immediate attention to the sitter's alert eyes and individual features. It feels honest - with the painter concentrating on achieving a convincing likeness, rather than a representation of status.

Today the painting survives as a tangible survivor from one of the most transformative periods in European history.

In 1990, the portrait was sold through Christie's, London, in a sale of 'Old Master Pictures from Schloss Wildenstein'.

Presented in a simple black frame, which also carries age.

Medium: Oil on panel

Overall size: 24” x 27” / 61cm x 69cm

Year of creation: 1654

Labels & Inscriptions: Various inscriptions. Christie's stencil on the reverse.

Provenance: Old Master Pictures From Schloss Wildenstein, Christie's, London, 6 July 1990, lot 3 / Private collection, UK.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV2318

Physical Dimensions
Height
69cm (27.17")
Width
61cm (24.02")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Portrait to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1228603
Dealers Internal Reference
BRV2318
Description
This striking mid-17th-century German oil painting depicts Gustavus Adolphus Meller (or Müller) of Erdingen and Wildenstein at the age of 36. An inscription identifies the sitter as "Junker Gust. Ad. Meller v. Erdingen v. Wildenstein. Anno Dom. 1654. AET. 36", preserving not only his name but also his rank and age. The inscription corresponds closely with documentary records associated with Schloss Wildenstein.
fig 1. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
fig 1. Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

The portrait belongs to a generation shaped by one of Europe's most turbulent periods. Gustavus Adolphus was born around 1618, the very year in which the Thirty Years' War began. Family records connect the Meller (or Müller) family with military service during that devastating conflict, while later documents place Gustavus Adolphus at Schloss Wildenstein, where he became associated with the estate during the 1650s.

fig 2. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
fig 2. Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

The sitter is dressed in a dark coat with a crisp white linen collar, while his appearance is defined by the elegantly groomed moustache and pointed beard fashionable among German noblemen during the period. His steady gaze and composed expression suggest a man of education and standing.

Although the artist remains unidentified beyond the initials H.L., the portrait displays the handling expected of a capable provincial master.

“
Soft modelling across the face contrasts effectively with the dark background, drawing immediate attention to the sitter's alert eyes and individual features.
Brave Fine Art

It feels honest - with the painter concentrating on achieving a convincing likeness, rather than a representation of status.

fig 3. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
fig 3. Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

Today the painting survives as a tangible survivor from one of the most transformative periods in European history.

In 1990, the portrait was sold through Christie's, London, in a sale of 'Old Master Pictures from Schloss Wildenstein'.

fig 4. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
fig 4. Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

Presented in a simple black frame, which also carries age.

Medium: Oil on panel

Overall size: 24” x 27” / 61cm x 69cm

Year of creation: 1654

Labels & Inscriptions: Various inscriptions. Christie's stencil on the reverse.

fig 5. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
fig 5. Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

Provenance: Old Master Pictures From Schloss Wildenstein, Christie's, London, 6 July 1990, lot 3 / Private collection, UK.

Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Fine craquelure throughout. The paint layer is stable. Frame with various marks and showing its age.

Our reference: BRV2318

Height
69cm (27.17")
Width
61cm (24.02")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Date of Manufacture

Brave Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Portrait to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1228603
Dealers Internal Ref
BRV2318
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Nov 2018

Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page

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A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
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Archive I A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.

Mid-17th-century German School, Portrait of Gustavus Adolphus Meller of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting

Archive II A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View II
Archive III A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View III
Archive IV A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View IV
Archive V A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View V
Archive VI A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View VI
Archive VII A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame. View VII
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Brave Fine Art

Brave Fine Art
Telephone 01684 215986
Location
21 Enterprise Way
Arle Road
Cheltenham
Cotswolds
GL51 8LZ
United Kingdom

Under appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified Since Nov 2018
Items For Sale 68
Items Sold 1,832
Brave Fine Art
Brave Fine Art
Verified Since Nov 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: 21 Enterprise Way, Arle Road, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, GL51 8LZ, United Kingdom, , Under appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bravefineart
Verified
Nov 2018
For Sale
68
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A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
Mid-17th-Century German School, Portrait Of Gustavus Adolphus Meller Of Erdingen & Wildenstein - Antique Oil Painting
Ref: SA1228603
A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a gentleman with a pointed beard and white collar set within a painted oval spandrel and dark wooden frame.
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FAQs

17th-century German School portraiture often incorporates Northern European Baroque elements, featuring dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, dark background palettes, and meticulous attention to formal costume details.

Artists during this period primarily utilised natural pigments ground with drying oils like linseed, applied onto woven canvas or timber panels, and housed in dark carved wooden frames.

Authentic paintings of this era typically exhibit organic craquelure patterns across the paint surface, historical stretcher marks, age-related oxidation to timber, and hand-painted Latin or Gothic inscriptions.

A classic portrait positioned above a sideboard or mantelpiece introduces rich historical texture when contrasted against muted modern walls and minimalist contemporary furniture.

Display the artwork away from direct sunlight, extreme humidity, and heat sources, dusting the frame gently with a soft dry microfibre cloth while avoiding chemical cleansers.
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