Portrait of Anna Maria Rubach

The portrait shows a representative of the Pomeranian elite, Anna Maria Rubach (1597-1631). Her mother was Engel of the aristocratic von Ramin family (1576-1647) and her father was Nikolaus Schultz, a medical doctor (1564-1617). As the court physician to Anna Maria Brandenburg (1567-1618), resident in Wolin, widow of Pomeranian Duke Barnim X (1549-1603), he also held the honourable positions of member of the chapter of the St Mary's Foundation in Szczecin and inspector of the Ducal Pedagogue.

In 1616, at the age of 19, Anna Maria Schultz became the wife of Adam Rubach, medical doctor and court physician to the dukes and duchesses of the Griffin dynasty. She had three children with him, two of whom reached adulthood.

The image of Anna Maria Rubach is one of the few known depictions of people from the court of the Pomeranian dukes. It is interesting for costume reasons, providing an insight into the fashion of the Pomeranian elite of the 2nd quarter of the 17th century. The striking elements of the costume – costly fabrics, Italian reticella needle lace, embroidered gloves, gold chains, bracelets and rings – are meant to emphasise membership of the highest circles of society. The haughty, rigid posture, the serious look, the restrained gestures of the portrayed person, as well as the drapery in the background and the support of the hand on the table covered with red cloth, are all in the convention of a representative court portrait.

The museum's collection, under the number MNS/Szt/1164, also includes a portrait of Anna Maria Rubach's husband Adam Rubach.

Monika Frankowska-Makała