Portrait of a Lady

Artist Bartholomaeus (Barthel/Bartel) Bruyn, the Elder German, 1493 - 1555

Dateca. 1535

Place of OriginGermany

MediumOil on panel

DimensionsPanel: 12 × 9 in. (30.5 × 22.9 cm)
Frame Dimensions: 23 1/2 × 29 in. (59.7 × 73.7 cm)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineThe Hyde Collection Trust, 1952

Object number1971.11

On View

On view

Collections

European Paintings & Sculpture

Signedunsigned (Bruyn is not known to have signed his work, it is identified through documented commissions)

MarkingsOn reverse, two small round stickers "E471"; "Frame E471". Two old labels: "To take picture out undo screws where marked" (removed and placed in file)

DescriptionPortrait of a young female in slightly more than 1/2 length view on a green ground. The figure is turned somewhat to her right. She holds up a blue flower (probably a columbine, symbol of fidelity and the Holy Spirit) between the thumb and forefinger of her right hand. She wears a ring on the forefinger of her left hand which rests on the front of her dress. Her dress and/or robe garment is two shades of blue, the darker in the large squared "collar" that looks like a short-waisted jacket, and echoed in a broad band on the lower section of the long outer sleeves which have a wide opening. There is a gold colored (and enamel?) trefoil-shaped button at either side of the collar. A tighter, red sleeved garment is worn under the blue sleeves. These are trimmed with a white ruffle edged with what appears to be silk loop stitching or possibly narrow lace that catches the light. A wide band of gold-colored trim having an interlocking scroll pattern appears at the top of the bodice and a narrower lattice pattern trim in gold ornaments the neck. There appears to be a sheer material connecting the two. A belt with bright highlights is worn slightly below the bustline. She wears an elaborate headpiece with a broad, patterned gold headband. Her hair is braided and worn in pendant loops in front of, or just over, her ears, which are not visible. Behind the headband is a darker band with bright highlights, probably pearls, and the remainder of her hoop shaped cap.

The panel has a rounded arched top and conforming molded, gilt frame. This is housed in a later mahogany frame with a brown velvet inner liner.Provenanceby 1929, New York, NY, E. A. Milch , Inc.
1929, Glens Falls, NY, Mr. and Mrs. Louis F. Hyde
1952, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust