Maximiliane was born in Munich in 1806. The girl was consider the most beautiful of local beauties, probably due to her rather exotic Italian looks (her father was originally from Northern Italy). Despite being from a regular family, not a noblewoman by any stretch, she attracted attention of King Ludwig I, and would have undoutedly ended up as one of his many lovers, if not for her strict Italian father who did everything possible to protect his daughter’s good reputation.
The family only accepted her admission to the King’s Gallery of Beauties on the condition that a companion was always present at the painting sessions. Her portrait was painted by Joseph Stieler when she was 20 years old. It was one of the first portraits that the artist painted for the king during his 27 years. The king had Maximiliane portrayed in a dark curly coiffure hairstyle, dark velvet dress trimmed with lace and fur. She wears a gold chain, a slanted hat with a silk bow on her precious pearl jewelry. She radiates wealth and nobility. The portrait is an example of how King Ludwig I was enchanted by beauty, regardless of social barriers.