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Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat

Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder , 1524

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat, by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, oil, 1524
Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat, by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, oil, 1524

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the Compton Verney Art Gallery.

About this work

If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this work, look up Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder.

This portrait shows a man in a black hat and a fur-trimmed mantle. He is holding a white cloth in his right hand, and his left hand is not visible. The background is green.

The man's attire suggests a wealthy individual from the 16th century. His serious expression adds to the overall somber mood of the painting.

If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this work, look up Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder.

Technique & Style

Created in 1524, this portrait is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel. The support measures 62.3 cm in height and 52.4 cm in width. As a work by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, the piece adheres to the formal conventions of sixteenth-century portraiture, depicting the subject from the waist up.

The artist renders the sitter wearing a fur-trimmed mantle and a black hat, utilizing the oil medium to define the textures of the clothing and the facial features. The composition focuses on the half-length presentation of Gerhard von Westerburg, capturing his likeness with the precision characteristic of the artist's style during this period.

History & Provenance

Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder executed this oil-on-panel portrait of Gerhard von Westerburg in 1524. The work measures 62.3 by 52.4 cm. Its ownership history includes possession by Johann Peter Weyer, Jakob Gsell, Rudolf von Gutmann, and Franz Pick. The Compton Verney Art Gallery acquired the painting in 2008 through purchase, where it is held under the accession number PCF1.

The painting is held by the Compton Verney Art Gallery, which is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and is accessioned under the number PCF1. It entered the collection through purchase in 2008. The work has not been recorded in any major exhibition histories according to the provided sources.

Context

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539) appears in a 1524 portrait by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, reflecting Northern Renaissance portraiture conventions through its half-length format, fur-trimmed mantle, and direct engagement with the sitter. The painting's provenance traces through collectors including Franz Pick and Rudolf von Gutmann before entering the Compton Verney Art Gallery collection, highlighting shifting ownership patterns of early modern German portraiture. Art historical scholarship situates this work within Bruyn's oeuvre, noting stylistic parallels to other portraits of the period while emphasizing its significance as a rare example of mid-16th century German portraiture depicting burgher subjects with aristocratic regalia.

The artwork remains accessible through UK public collections, with usage rights governed by specific copyright frameworks for non-commercial research purposes.

Overview

This 1524 oil painting by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder portrays Gerhard von Westerburg in a half-length format. The subject is depicted wearing a fur-trimmed mantle and a black hat against a green background.

Subject & Meaning

Gerhard von Westerburg, a figure of apparent wealth based on his attire, is shown holding a white cloth in his right hand. His serious expression contributes to the painting's somber atmosphere, though the specific significance of the white cloth remains unclear.

The Nuremberg dressmaker Hans Pirkel the Younger
The Nuremberg dressmaker Hans Pirkel the Younger, Hans Brosamer

Artist & collection

Portrait of Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat?

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat was painted by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder in 1524.

Where can I see Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat?

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat is held by Compton Verney Art Gallery.

What movement is Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat?

Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat?

Museum-quality prints of Gerhard von Westerburg (1486–after 1539), Half-Length, in a Fur-Trimmed Mantle and Black Hat are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.