Christoph Amberger

Christoph Amberger was an Augsburg portrait painter whose sitters included the city’s great merchants and the Emperor himself. His portraits are clear and dignified, close to the style of Hans Holbein the Younger, with calm faces, rich clothing and simple backgrounds.

Born around 1505, he worked in Augsburg, one of the richest cities in Germany, and travelled to northern Italy and Venice in the 1520s, which brought warmer colour into his work. He painted Emperor Charles V, the humanist Konrad Peutinger, the commander Georg von Frundsberg and members of the Fugger family, the powerful banking dynasty. He also painted frescoes and a series on the story of Joseph.

His portrait of Christoph Fugger is a good example of his work. Look at the fine rendering of fur, fabric and gold chains, and the steady, thoughtful expressions.