Who painted Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book?

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book was painted by Barthel Bruyn the Younger in 1560.

Where can I see Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book?

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book?

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book is associated with Late Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book

Barthel Bruyn the Younger , 1560

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book is an oil painting by the Late Mannerist artist Barthel Bruyn the Younger. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of a Woman with a Prayer Book is a 1560 oil painting by German artist Barthel Bruyn the Younger. Characterized by its somber tone, the work depicts a woman in contemplative pose, holding a prayer book.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a woman in mourning attire with a prayer book, conveys piety and devotion. Her pale face, set against a dark background, enhances the overall sense of solemnity and introspection.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the painting exemplifies late mannerism. Bruyn's use of contrasting colors (black, white, and accents of red and brown) and chiaroscuro contributes to the work's emotional depth.

History & Provenance

Created in Bruyn's Cologne workshop, the painting is now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection. Bruyn, trained by his father, often collaborated with family members on religious themes.

Context

As a late mannerist work, it reflects the artistic tendencies of 16th-century Northern Europe, emphasizing intricate detail and emotional complexity in portraiture.

Legacy

While not widely renowned beyond its stylistic attributions, the painting provides insight into the religious and artistic values of its time, as well as Bruyn's contribution to the mannerist tradition.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Barthel Bruyn the Younger

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…