WEIDITZ, Christoph - b. ~1500 Freiburg im Breisgau, d. 1559 Augsburg - WGA

WEIDITZ, Christoph

(b. ~1500 Freiburg im Breisgau, d. 1559 Augsburg)

Medallist, sculptor, goldsmith, member of a German family of artists active in the Upper Rhine region from the mid-15th century to the mid-16th. From 1523 to 1525 he worked in Strasbourg, from 1525 to 1526 in Swabia, and from 1526 to 1529 in Augsburg. He travelled to Spain and to the Low Countries in the retinue of Emperor Charles V. In 1532 he returned to Augsburg.

More than a hundred commemorative medals and models dated between 1523 and 1544 are his authentic works. He also produced small sculptures.

Portrait Medal of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina
Portrait Medal of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina by

Portrait Medal of Francisco de los Cobos y Molina

Francisco de los Cobos y Molina (c. 1477-1547) was the secretary of State and Comendador for the kingdom of Castile under the rule of the Emperor Charles I of Spain (later Emperor Charles V). He became wealthy in his work with the state and used some of his riches in fostering patronage and acquiring art.

Portrait of Charles de Solier, Sire de Morette
Portrait of Charles de Solier, Sire de Morette by

Portrait of Charles de Solier, Sire de Morette

Weiditz’ carved portrait of the diplomat, which also presents a bulky, masterful figure, attests to the accuracy of Holbein’s depiction of the same sitter (Gemäldegalerie, Dresden).

The picture shows the obverse of the medallion representing Charles de Solier, Sire de Morette.

Feedback