This prominent Czech noble was appointed Chamberlein of the king and later Emperor Leopold I. He received a substantial heritage from his granduncle Herman Czernin von Chudenitz. In 1659 he was appointed ambassador in Venice, where he started putting together the vast Czernin art collection. Not only did he buy paintings but even commissioned new ones. He
primarily chose themes from the Greek mythology or scenes from the Old Testament. His collection quickly expanded and was moved to Prague at the end of his diplomatic mission.
In 1667 he initiated the building of the monumental Czernin palace in the Hradcany District, where he placed his paintings gallery. The count died before the palace was completed.
