Philippine Welser (1527-1580), 1. Gemahlin von Erzherzog Ferdinand II. von Tirol

Philippine Welser (1527–1580), the lady of Ambras Castle, was an outstanding woman in Tyrolean history. Archduke Ferdinand II presumably became acquainted with her in Bo-hemia, where the wedding took place secretly in 1557 — as the daughter of an Augsburg patrician it was a morganatic marriage. It was not until 19 years after the secret wedding, the Pope confirmed their marriage in connection with the appointment of their son Andreas to cardinal. Hence, the first official portraits of Philippine Welser date from this period. In this picture, Philippine is wearing a traditional German costume influenced by Spanish fashion.