Countess Maria Elisabeth Clara van den Bergh was born at Huis Bergh on August the 24th, 1610 Her parents died young and she came to be raised at the Brussels court. She was very close with Archduchess Isabella of Spain. Therefore, the ceremony of her wedding with Albert took place at the archducal palace. On the 6th of January 1633, 7 months pregnant with her fifth child, Maria Elisabeth Clara succumbed to severe fits of epilepsy. Between her legs, the midwife later found the lifeless body of a baby boy. In the aftermath of this tragic event a grave quarrel arose about the inheritance. Since Maria Elisabeth Clara and Albert had no living offspring, it was all of a sudden of great importance to ascertain whether the baby boy had or had not been alive at birth. If it had been alive at birth , then Albert would be the legitimate heir, if it had not been alive, then count Hendrik would be entitled to the castle. The dispute went as far as Hendrik besieging the castle.
For more information on Maria Elisabeth Clara’s last and tragic pregnancy, press A For more information on the clothes she is wearing in this painting, press B