Barthel Bruyn the Elder

Bartholomäus Bruyn (* 1493, † 1555 in Cologne; Barthel Bruyn also, Bartholomaeus Bruyn, Bertoult Bruyn meler ( hook size ), Bartell Bruen ) was a German Renaissance painter and one of the most important portraitists of the 16th century.

Life and work

Born in 1493 Bruyn learned his craft at the same time with Joos van Cleve by Jan Joest, eg when working in Wesel, Kalkar and becoming, before he even moved at a young age to Cologne. Bruyn married 1515-1520 Agnes († 1550). They had five children. As of 1512 can be expected from a participation in the workshop of the so-called Master of St. Severin (Köln ), but was first recorded in a document its activities in Cologne until 1515th Three years later Bruyn was a member of the Vierundvierziger (extended City Council ). In the following Bruyn established especially through his work as a painter and portraitist altar as a respected artist. As typical of his portraits applies Bruyns realistic and accurate characterization of the sitters. He also chose mostly curly accounts for his works. 1549 was the now prospered Bruyn representatives of the signs gaff ( painters' guild ) in the Cologne Council.

However, Bruyns activities were not limited to Cologne: inter alia, he made from 1522/25 altarpiece for the Essen convent, which is now in the upstream Essen Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist are. 1529/34 followed altar wing of the high altar of the collegiate church of St. Victor in Xanten, including a self-portrait with portraits of his wife and his eldest son. Xanten Altar was a turning point in Bruyns works by, he deepened his knowledge of Italian Renaissance painting, and increasingly of prints from Italy processed. For Cologne, where Bruyn own workshop entertained in his sons and Arnt Bruyn Bartholomäus Bruyn the Younger worked, in particular the images cycle for the cloister of the Carmelite Monastery is worth mentioning as factory Bruyns from 1547. 1539 worked in his workshop a master Johan. This drew the portraits of Christian and Hermann von Weinsberg. In the latter work is on the front: " Effigies Hermanni a Weinsberch Anno 1539 carbone depicta Aetatis 22 fere. " And on the back: "This is made ​​contrafitung Hermanni of Weinsberch anno 1539, he do in the Cronenburssen wonte with synergistic Bonetten ( hat) and paltrock was sanguinenfarb and mauwen ( sleeves ) dannet leather. Syn broder Christian still has almost kyndischs, succeeding the Roit spots about it gesmirt that fleckelgin under the eyes was eyn lochelgyn in papyr. That face is folgenss changed seyrr by eyn kale face, beard and rüntzel that bar domailss was kastanienbrün. "His late work is characterized by altarpieces for churches in Cologne and the formed shortly before his death, crucifixion altar in St. Andrew. Bruyn died in 1555. Whether April 22, recorded in the account books of the parish church of St. Alban, his death or funeral are remains unclear. With his death, the most productive phase of the Cologne Renaissance painting, which is characterized by an adherence to traditional genres ( triptych ) and themes ( saints row) ends with a simultaneous opening of new trends distinguished.

Works

These paintings are part of his early work. The scenes are behind painting of landscapes.

• Mary and John from a revered abbess Museum Cologne, # 304.
• Resurrection of Christ with Saints and Donors Cunibert Church, Cologne. The side panels with John the Baptist and John the Evangelist to show a more mature painter hand.
• Madonna with the praying Duke of Cleveland, Museum Berlin Nr.631. " The shallow as gedrechslten wooden Ideal heads Bartehl are now rounder, shorter, more earthy, garish colors shine forth from a brownish overall tone. "
• 1520 Hermann Rinck and Sybilla oil on oak, Pyxis portraits, thumbnails including coat of arms, Wallraff -Richartz Museum in Cologne. Noteworthy is the appearance of shadows portrait of jew represented and of the shadow of the frame.
• 1522-1525 8 Main Altar Wing pictures, eat Damenstift
• Johannes van Ryht Portrait of Cologne's mayor, 1891 at the Berlin gallery
• Councilman Martin in courtyards Portrait
• 1529-1534 8 high altar paintings, 4 large wings painting, a medium-sized semi-circular crucifixion View as crowning. The three small pictures in the middle part of the 19th century, St.Viktor in Xanten. Representations: St. Helena Constantine, Sylvester, Hl.Viktor, St.Gereon Ecce homo, resurrection. The woodwork of the four wing - altar relics created Master William of Roermond from Cologne, 8 fellows were involved in the development of the work. Bruyn gives the physiognomies contemporary portraits.