Isabella Of Portugal With St. Elizabeth 1460

Petrus Christus painted Isabella of Portugal with St. Elizabeth sometime in the 15th century. It’s a compelling look at the intersection of piety, power, and the role of women in Burgundian society. The painting depicts Isabella, wife of Philip the Good, alongside Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Elizabeth presents Isabella with a crown, a symbol of earthly authority. This could speak to the complex negotiations between religious virtue and secular rule in the Netherlands at the time. Notice the detailed rendering of Isabella's luxurious gown, and the contrast between the opulence and the plain black robes of St. Elizabeth. This contrast invites us to consider the social expectations placed on women of different status, and the way in which clothing served as a visual marker of identity. To understand this painting more fully, we can look at archival records and court documents. These resources might reveal the specific political and religious contexts that shaped Christus's artistic choices.