Artwork

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen, by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, oil, 1530
Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen, by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, oil, 1530

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting is part of the Mauritshuis collection and currently displayed in Room 7 of the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

The portrait shows a young woman identified as Elisabeth Bellinghausen, holding a sprig of Solanum dulcamara, a plant associated with marital fidelity in Renaissance symbolism. Executed by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder in 1530, the work exemplifies Northern Renaissance portraiture through its precise rendering of texture and psychological presence. The painting is part of the Mauritshuis collection and currently displayed in Room 7 of the Mauritshuis in The Hague.

Technique & Style

The Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, a support typical of Northern European portraiture of the early sixteenth century. The work is relatively small in scale, measuring 34.5 cm in height by 24 cm in width, a format suited to intimate domestic display.

Stylistically, the painting belongs to the tradition of the Northern Renaissance portrait, with the sitter depicted alongside a sprig of Solanum dulcamara (bittersweet nightshade), a symbolic botanical motif. The handling is consistent with Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder's refined approach to panel painting in Cologne during the 1530s, emphasizing precise detail and clear characterization within a portrait format.

History & Provenance

The portrait was painted in 1530 by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder. By the late 19th century it belonged to Cornelis Hoogendijk, a Dutch collector whose holdings later passed to the Rijksmuseum. The painting entered the collection of the Mauritshuis in The Hague, where it remains in Room 7. The work depicts Elisabeth Bellinghausen and is dated to 1530 by the artist.

The Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen is held by the Mauritshuis in The Hague, specifically located in Room 7. While the work is currently part of the Mauritshuis collection, historical records indicate it was previously owned by Cornelis Hoogendijk and associated with the Rijksmuseum. The painting was created in 1530 by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder and executed in oil on panel.

No specific inventory or accession numbers are provided in the available sources, nor is there any record of its exhibition history.

Context

The portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen, painted by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder in 1530, exemplifies Northern Renaissance portraiture through its meticulous rendering and symbolic inclusion of Solanum dulcamara, reflecting contemporary botanical interests and social status markers. Its display at the Mauritshuis in Room 7 underscores its significance within Dutch Golden Age collections, situating it among other works by Bruyn that explore civic identity and domestic virtue. Scholarship emphasizes the painting's role in illustrating the intersection of portraiture and moral allegory during the 16th century, highlighting its contribution to understanding artistic exchanges between the Netherlands and broader European contexts.

Legacy

The portrait contributed to the development of early Netherlandish portraiture through its naturalistic rendering and psychological depth. Its inclusion in major collections such as the Mauritshuis and Rijksmuseum reinforced its status as a benchmark for 16th-century portraiture, influencing later artists' approaches to representation and status depiction. The work's continued scholarly attention underscores its significance within Dutch Renaissance art.

Overview

Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, a prominent Cologne portraitist of the early sixteenth century, painted this oil portrait in 1530. The work belongs to the Northern Renaissance tradition and is currently part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It presents a seated woman rendered with careful detail, set against a dark, oval background that isolates the figure.

Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of a Woman, Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder

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.

Rijksmuseum

Museum

Rijksmuseum

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen?

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen was painted by Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder in 1530-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen?

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen?

Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.