Johann Wilhelm II, Elector Palatine of the Wittelsbach dynasty was Elector Palatine, Duke of Neuburg, Duke of Jülich and Berg, and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham.
Background
He was the son of Count Palatine Philip William of Neuburg and Elisabeth Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt and was born in Düsseldorf, where he resided, rather than in Heidelberg, which had been largely destroyed by French troops during the Nine Years" War. She was a daughter of Ferdinand III, Holy Roman Emperor and his third wife Eleanor of Mantua.
Education
He was educated by the Jesuits and in 1674 he made a grand tour to Italy.
Career
From 1697 onwards Johann Wilhelm was also Count of Megen. His father ceded the duchies of Jülich and Berg to him in 1679, before he also succeeded him as Elector Palatine in 1690. Johann Wilhelm proclaimed religious toleration in 1705 at the instigation of his mistress, Dorothea von Velen.
During the War of the Spanish succession Johann Wilhelm received also the Bavarian Upper Palatinate, which was returned to Bavaria in 1714.
He died in Düsseldorf and was buried in the Saint Andreas Church. His enormous collection of paintings by Rubens can still be seen in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
His widow Anna Maria Luisa was the last scion of the House of Medici. Therefore these treasures are still to be visited in Florence today.
In Düsseldorf, the January-Wellem Square is named after Johann Wilhelm.
Titles and styles
19 April 1658 - 26 May 1685 His Serene Highness Johann Wilhelm, the Count Palatine of Neuburg
26 May 1685 – 2 September 1690 His Serene Highness Johann Wilhelm, the Hereditary Prince Palatine
2 September 1690 – 8 June 1716 His Serene Highness Johann Wilhelm, the Elector Palatine.