Where can I see Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615?

Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615 is held by Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

What movement is Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615?

Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615 is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615

Portrait of Jan Brueghel I (1568-1625) and his family, after 1615 is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The inclusion of multiple figures suggests a focus on domestic lineage rather than a solitary likeness.

The work is a group portrait depicting a man, a woman, and a child. The primary subject is identified as Jan Brueghel the Elder, also known as Jan Brueghel I. Created as a painting based on an earlier composition titled Portrait of Jan Brueghel the Elder and his family, the image serves as a familial representation of the artist. The inclusion of multiple figures suggests a focus on domestic lineage rather than a solitary likeness. As a portrait genre piece, the work functions to memorialize Brueghel alongside his family members.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint on canvas, this portrait measures 130 cm in height and 97 cm in width. The work depicts a man, a woman, and a child, with Jan Brueghel the Elder serving as the primary subject. Stylistically, the piece functions as a group portrait within the broader genre of portraiture.

The composition is identified as being based on an earlier depiction of Brueghel and his family, though this specific version dates to 1650.

History & Provenance

The painting is dated to circa 1650, as indicated in both the internal record and the Wikidata entry. Its title notes that it depicts Jan Brueghel I and his family after 1615. The work entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston as part of the Charles Sedelmeyer collection and was formerly owned by Auguste du Blaisel. No specific commission is documented in the available sources.

The painting is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, having originated from the Charles Sedelmeyer collection. The work depicts Jan Brueghel the Elder and his family, with the main subject identified as the artist himself. While the entity is attributed to Peter Paul Rubens, the Wikidata record also notes the possibility of it being the work of an anonymous creator.

The inventory records indicate a previous ownership by Auguste du Blaisel. No specific exhibition history or accession number is provided in the available sources.

Overview

This oil painting, attributed to Peter Paul Rubens, portrays Jan Brueghel I and his family in a domestic setting, characterized by a somber yet intimate atmosphere.

Context

This portrait aligns with the Counter-Reformation's artistic preferences, embracing expressive and emotionally charged representations. It also blends personal portraiture with the Baroque's sensuality and movement, albeit in a restrained, familial context.

Legacy

As a work by Rubens, it contributes to the Flemish Baroque's legacy, showcasing the artist's ability to capture intimate, personal moments within a broader artistic and religious movement.