Wilhelmine Maria Krag

Painting by Andreas Brünniche, after, 18th century

Portrait of Vilhelmine Krag (1700–1767), Diocese lady at Vallø Castle, with her hair taken up, wearing a veil and girandole-earrings with pearl-pendeloques, a white silk dress with black laces and white lace bows. In the upper left corner the coat of arms of the Krag family. Inscribed and signed on the reverse of the canvas in Danish: “Welhelmine Maria de Krag, daughter of privy council Neels Krag to Egeskov, and Mrs. Sophia Juel, General Admiral Nels Juels daughter from Taasinge. Painted by A Brÿnniche 1753, copied by by M. Petersen 1777”. Oil on canvas. 75×60 cm.

As daughter of Sophia Juel, Vilhelmine Krag was a granddaughter of Niels Juel (1629–1697), who in 1678 acquired Valdemar's Castle, the first owner of Valdemar's Castle of the Juel family. Vallø Noble Nunnery was founded 1737 by Queen Sophie Magdalene (1700–1770), married to King Christian VI of Denmark (1699–1746). Vilhelmine Krag is wearing the Vallø nuns' red ribbon with a star including the Queen's monogram.

Provenance: Valdemar's Castle, Tåsinge. “The Empress Room” (Inv. No. KES 16).