Lot 117: Bartholomäus Bruyn the Younger (Cologne c.1530-1607/10)

Bartholomäus Bruyn the Younger (Cologne c.1530-1607/10)
Portrait of a gentleman, half-length, with a glove and a book; and A portrait of a lady, three-quarter length, holding a prayer book
with inscriptions on the upper edges, the first 'ANNO.1539.AETATIS.SVE.65.'; the second 'ANNO.1539.AETATIS.SVE.26.'
oil on panel, shaped top, in an integral frame
18¼ x 13¼ in. (46.3 x 33.6 cm.), each
a pair (2)

with E.V. Thaw, New York, by whom sold to the father of the present owner in 1972.

THIS LOT TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
This lot is offered without reserve.
Bartholomäus Bruyn's earliest recorded independent works date to 1550. Five years later he inherited his father's workshop and its considerable clientele. The younger Bruyn continued the artistic tradition established by his father, painting portraits in a subdued palette using linear compositions, embellished with decorative flourishes in the jewelry, belts and other small objects. The present portraits date to the late 1550s and compare favorably with the pair in the Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City, dated 1559.

We are grateful to Dr. Kurt Löcher for confirming the attribution to Bartholomäus Bruyn the Younger, on the basis of photographs (written communication, 15 May 2010).