(Celle 1819–1870 Hildesheim) Emperor Charles V. in the Monastery at Yuste, signed and dated GBergmann 1854, inscribed on the reverse: Karl V. im Kloster, oil on canvas, 252.5 x 192 cm, unframed, (GS).

Provenance: King Ernst August von Hannover Collection; Fideicommiss-Galerie of the Royal House of Hannover; Duke of Cumberland; Duke of Brunswick, Schloss Marienburg. When the painting was purchased from the House of Hannover a few years ago it was regarded as the work of an unknown German artist. However, as the painting was cleaned, the signature of the Hildesheim painter, Georg Bergmann, became visible. The artist Georg Bergmann studied with T. Hildebrandt at the Düsseldorf Academy from 1843 to 1850. He painted his most important work in 1851; the mural paintings in Schloss Wallmoden in Lower Saxony. During the same year he painted The Last Moments of Philipp II of Spain (formerly in the Museum der bildenden Künste in Leipzig). This work is a good example of Bergmann’s “Affinity with the early Düsseldorf School and its secular and religious historical painting according to the artistic ideals of the Nazarene style...” (Lexikon der Düsseldorfer Malerschule, Vol. I, p. 127). Emperor Charles V abdicated in 1556, ill and tired after years of war. He divided his vast empire between his brother Ferdinand, who became Emperor, and his son Philipp, who became Philipp II of Spain. Charles V withdrew to Yuste Monastery in Estremadura, and lived out his few remaining years with the monks. On 21st September 1558, and in view of the altar, the former Emperor of a global empire died.