Artwork

Cyriakus-Folge: Kaiser Diokletian reicht dem hl. Cyriakus die Hand

Cyriakus-Folge: Kaiser Diokletian reicht dem hl. Cyriakus die Hand is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

This 1532 painting, part of the Cyriakus-Folge series, is a work by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, a prominent painter of the German Renaissance. It is held in the Alte Pinakothek collection.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts Emperor Diocletian and Saint Cyriacus shaking hands, surrounded by other figures. The saint is distinguished by a halo, while the emperor wears a yellow robe and carries a sword. The encounter is rendered with attention to the characters' attire and expressions.

Technique & Style

The painting is characterized by a realistic style, with detailed clothing and facial expressions. Earth tones dominate, lending warmth and depth to the scene. The use of chiaroscuro adds to the overall effect, creating a sense of volume and presence.

Cyriakus-Folge: Der hl. Cyriakus befreit Jobia vom bösen Geist, Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder

Artist & collection

Artist

Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder

Bartholomäus Bruyn (1493–1555), usually called Barthel Bruyn or Barthel Bruyn the Elder, was a German Renaissance painter active in Cologne. He painted altarpieces and portraits, and was Cologne's foremost portrait painter of his day.