Panel

Studio of Franois Clouet

Southern Low Countries –1570

Portrait of Elizabeth of Habsburg, spouse of Charles IX of France (after 1570). Used to be in the collection of a private Belgian collector.

Not only Castle Bergh owns a portrait of Elizabeth; a similar portrait, with the same dimensions, the same person but different clothes can be found in the Louvre in Paris. Elizabeth was the grandchild of Charles V, and, as the wife of Charles IX, queen of France. Her dress is indeed royal: a silk robe adorned with pearls and gems. Note how the same kind of precious stones and pearls are used in the coiffure. Elizabeth lived for only 38 years, and we see her on this portrait in her prime.