(Paris 1670-1751 Vienna) Workshop of van Schuppen, Portrait of Count Johann Wilhelm of Wurmbrand-Stuppach (1670-1750) with the Order of the Golden Fleece, Oil on canvas, 77x 60 cm, framed, (GS)

Provenance: from the collection of the heirs of the Count. Count Johann Wilhelm was born in Steyersberg in 1670, the son of Protestant parents. After studying history in Leipzig and Utrecht he became an important constitutional lawyer. In 1697 he was called to the Imperial Court Council, which marks the mid-point of his political and academic career. In 1722 he was made Vice-President of this institution, and in 1728 he was made President. As such, he was one of the most important policians of his time and an adviser to the Kaiser. In 1745 he took part in the coronation of Kaiser Franz I in Frankfurt am Main. By 1726 he had gained admission to the Frankish Council of counts and the Wurmbrand Family was made part of the Imperial estate. Wilhelm acquired this house through his third marriage to an heiress from the disappearing house of Schenken von Limpurg. She also brought him parts of the South German county Limpurg-Gaildorf. As a politican, academic and writer Wilhelm von Wurmbrand-Stuppach was one of the most important members of his family.