German School 17th century - Portrait of Johann Warmund von Aicher with a Medallion of Maximilian I of Bavaria

German School 17th century

Portrait of Johann Warmund von Aicher with a Medallion of Maximilian I of Bavaria

Oil on canvas (relined). 115.5 x 83.5 cm.

Inscribed upper left: AETATIS SUAE LXX / Ao MDCLXXVIII
The Bavarian Aicher family rose among the patrician families of Landshut in the mid-16th century. Emperor Matthias also granted the brothers Johann and Michael Aicher hereditary imperial nobility in 1613. The certificate documenting this change of status includes a detailed description of the Aicher family coat of arms, which can be seen in the same form in the upper right corner of this work.
This portrait is thought to depict Johann Warmund von Aicher, as his date of birth in 1608 would correspond to the age stated in this work. Johann Warmund was one of the sons of Johann Warmund who was knighted by Emperor Matthias in 1613. He was head custom's officer (Hochzollner) in Friedberg from 1637 to 1672 and died in Munich in 1688, where he was buried in the church of St. Peter.
In his right hand, Johann Warmund von Aicher holds a medallion with a portrait of Duke and Elector Maximilian I of Bavaria, which was presumably presented to him by this ruler. The inscription born by the medallion reads: MAX D G CO PA RHE VTR BA DUX (= Maximilianus Dei Gratia Comes Palatinus Rheni Utriusque Bavariae Dux).

Literature

For information on the history of the Aicher family, see: Fritz Markmiller: Die Aicher, in: Blätter des Bayerischen Landesvereins für Familienkunde 31, 1968, p. 63-80.