Artwork
Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne

Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Barthel Bruyn the Younger. It dates from 1557 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The representation balances individual likeness with the broader cultural imperative of displaying noble or merchant class status through genealogical markers.
The work depicts a woman identified as a member of the Slosgin family of Cologne, presented in a formal three-quarter view typical of sixteenth-century portraiture. A significant element of the composition is the inclusion of a coat of arms, which serves as a primary iconographic device to assert the sitter's lineage and social standing within the city. Painted in 1557 by Barthel Bruyn the Younger, the image functions as a dynastic record, utilizing the heraldic symbol to visually anchor the subject's identity to her specific family heritage.
The representation balances individual likeness with the broader cultural imperative of displaying noble or merchant class status through genealogical markers.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1557 by Barthel Bruyn the Younger, this portrait is an oil painting on a wooden panel. The work measures 45.1 by 35.9 centimeters and functions as a formal likeness of a female subject from the Slosgin family of Cologne. Stylistically, the composition incorporates heraldic elements, specifically a coat of arms, alongside the figure of the woman.
The application of oil paint on panel reflects the standard technical approach for Northern Renaissance portraiture of this period, allowing for the detailed rendering of facial features and textures characteristic of Bruyn's oeuvre.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne was created by Barthel Bruyn the Younger in 1557, executed in oil paint. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. Prior to its institutional accession, the painting was owned by Michael Friedsam, forming the most recent documented link in its ownership chain before its transfer to the museum.
No further details regarding the original commission, intermediate owners, or earlier provenance are recorded in the available sources.
Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne (1557) by Barthel Bruyn the Younger is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York. The work is catalogued as a painting in the museum’s European paintings department, though the specific inventory or accession number is not disclosed in the available documentation. No exhibition records are cited in the sources, indicating that the piece has not been listed in publicly noted exhibitions within the provided references.
Overview
Barthel Bruyn the Younger created the Portrait of a Woman of the Slosgin Family of Cologne in 1557, utilizing oil paint. This Northern Renaissance painting depicts an unidentified woman, whose family affiliation is indicated by an accompanying coat of arms. Such elements were characteristic of portraiture during this era. The artwork is currently housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
Active in Cologne, Barthel Bruyn the Younger developed his artistic skills within his father's workshop, a common practice for artists of the period. His professional life also included collaborative efforts with his family on various religious commissions, demonstrating a versatile artistic practice beyond individual portraiture. This background shaped his approach to depicting prominent citizens.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartholomäus Bruyn (c. 1530 – between 1607 and 1610), usually called Barthel Bruyn the Younger to distinguish him from his father of the same name, was a German painter active in Cologne. He is noted mainly for his…


















