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Portrait of a Man

1533
Not on view

The sitters wear costumes typical of the upper-class citizenry of Cologne, whose members were Bruyn's usual patrons. The woman's exposed hair, visible in braids at either side of her face, indicates that the couple are depicted as engaged, not married, as married women of Cologne wore their hair completely covered. It is likely that the portraits were commissioned to commemorate their engagement. In the context of this work, the carnation in the woman's hand is symbolic of love, betrothal, and marriage.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Portrait of a Man
  • Artist: Barthel Bruyn the Elder (German, 1493–1555)
  • Date: 1533
  • Medium: Oil on oak
  • Dimensions: Overall, with arched top, 12 x 8 7/8 in. (30.5 x 22.5 cm); painted surface 11 3/4 x 8 1/8 in. (29.8 x 20.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of James A. Moffett 2nd, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.267.1
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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Portrait of a Woman, Barthel Bruyn the Elder German, Oil on oak
Portrait of a Woman
Barthel Bruyn the Elder
1533
Hermann von Wedigh III (died 1560), Hans Holbein the Younger German, Oil and gold on oak
Hermann von Wedigh III (died 1560)
Hans Holbein the Younger
1532
Christ Blessing, Surrounded by a Donor Family , German Painter German, Oil and gold on oak

Christ Blessing, Surrounded by a Donor Family

German Painter
ca. 1573–82
Venus and Cupid, Lucas Cranach the Elder German, Oil on wood
Venus and Cupid
Lucas Cranach the Elder
ca. 1525–27
Christ Blessing the Children, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop German, Oil on beech
Christ Blessing the Children
Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop
ca. 1545–50

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