Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg
Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg was Queen of Sweden from 1620 to 1632 as the wife of King Gustav II Adolph. She was born a German princess as the daughter of John Sigismund, Elector of Brandenburg, and Anna, Duchess of Prussia, daughter of Albert Frederick, Duke of Prussia.
Portrait after Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt, 1619
Queen Maria Eleonora on a gold portrait medal c. 1620
A contemporary portrait of Maria Eleonora, showing the resemblance to her daughter Christina, c. 1630 (by an unknown artist)
Portrait of Queen Maria Eleonora by unknown artist, early 17th century
Gustavus Adolphus, also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632, and is credited with the rise of Sweden as a great European power. During his reign, Sweden became one of the primary military forces in Europe during the Thirty Years' War, helping to determine the political and religious balance of power in Europe. He was formally and posthumously given the name Gustavus Adolphus the Great by the Riksdag of the Estates in 1634.
Portrait attributed to Jacob Hoefnagel, 1624
Gustavus Adolphus leading a cavalry charge
The Lion of the North: Gustavus Adolphus depicted at the turning point of the Battle of Breitenfeld (1631) against the forces of Count Tilly
Gustavus Adolphus at Breitenfeld in 1631