Who painted Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel?

Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel was painted by Unknown in 1612.

Where can I see Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel?

Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel?

Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel

Unknown , 1612

Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. The work is an oil painting portraying a bearded man with a white ruff and dark clothing.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting is a portrait of Jan Brueghel the Elder, the Flemish painter known for his detailed still lifes and flower pieces.

The painting is a portrait of Jan Brueghel the Elder, the Flemish painter known for his detailed still lifes and flower pieces. Classified as a portrait genre work, it presents Brueghel as its sole named subject, with the canvas devoted entirely to his likeness rather than to an allegorical or narrative scene.

Because the work is a straightforward commemorative portrait rather than a history or devotional composition, its meaning centers on the sitter himself: it records Brueghel's appearance and status as an established artist in 1612, the year of its creation. Its placement in the Bavarian State Painting Collections and the Alte Pinakothek frames it as a document of artistic identity, preserving the visual presence of a leading figure of the Antwerp school.

Technique & Style

The work is an oil painting on canvas measuring 86.7 cm by 74.2 cm, created in 1612. It portrays Jan Brueghel the Elder, rendered with fine brushwork that emphasizes delicate detail and a polished surface characteristic of early 17th‑century Flemish portraiture. The painting’s handling of light and color reflects the workshop practices of Anthony van Dyck’s circle, combining precise facial characterization with subtle tonal transitions.

History & Provenance

The work titled Portrait of the painter Jan Brueghel was created in 1612 as an oil painting. It depicts Jan Brueghel the Elder and was produced within the workshop of Anthony van Dyck. The painting measures 86.7 cm in height and 74.2 cm in width.

It belongs to the portrait genre and was painted using oil on canvas. The work is part of the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is housed in the Electoral Gallery Dusseldorf at the Alte Pinakothek.

The work is held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections in Munich and is located in the Alte Pinakothek. Its inventory number within the collection is WAF 1140. The painting entered the collection as part of the Electoral Gallery Düsseldorf holdings. It has not been recorded as included in any major exhibitions in the available sources.

Overview

The work is an oil painting portraying a bearded man with a white ruff and dark clothing. He rests his right hand on his chest, looking directly forward. A plain, dark background isolates the figure, emphasizing his facial features and attire.