96 Items in this Learning Collection
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object
Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Self-Portrait with carnations

Accession Number
1963/2.43

Title
Self-Portrait with carnations

Artist(s)
Bartholomäus Bruyn, the Elder

Artist Nationality
German (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1525

Medium & Support
oil on panel

Dimensions
19 11/16 in x 13 3/4 in (50.01 cm x 34.92 cm);19 11/16 in x 13 3/4 in (50.01 cm x 34.92 cm);24 7/8 in x 19 in (63.18 cm x 48.26 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Label copy
March 28, 2009
Bartholomäus Bruyn the Elder, the foremost painter in sixteenth-century Cologne, portrays himself in this panel as a member of the city’s prosperous bourgeoisie. Bruyn established his workshop in 1512, and he built a career painting altarpieces and portraits of Cologne’s elite, his most important patrons. Bruyn himself held a number of positions in the city government between 1518 and 1553, and this self-portrait testifies to his commercial success and social status. Confident and somewhat aloof, Bruyn wears somber colors offset by the understated luxury of his fur collar, embroidered cuffs, and gold jewelry. The same ethos of sobriety and affluence characterizes Bruyn’s portraits of the city’s most prominent citizens. The two carnations on the ledge before him may be reminders of the fleeting nature of wealth and youth, or they may indicate that Bruyn painted this panel for his betrothal or marriage.

Subject matter
Bartholomaeus Bruyn the elder displays his rank as a successful young painter in Cologne through this elegant self-portrait. For the painting he adopted a casual but self-possessed pose that imbues him with an air of confidence that is reinforced by the understated luxury of his garb and jewelry. The gold chain around his neck perhaps refers to his profession as a painter, and the carnations, popular symbols of conjugal love, on the ledge before him suggest that Bruyn might have painted this portrait for his betrothal or marriage.

Physical Description
This elegant self-portrait depicts a half-length figure of a man in three-quarters profile with his left arm resting on a stone ledge. The somber colors of his garb, consisting of a white shirt with a dark robe, is offset by luxurious details: the fur collar of his robe, the black ribbon and gold chain around his neck, the embroidered collar and cuffs of his shirt, and the three rings on his right hand. Two pink carnations appear on the ledge before him.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
portrait

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
hats
necklaces
self-portraits

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted

On display

UMMA Gallery Location ➜ AMH, 1st floor ➜ 102 (Richard and Rosann Noel Gallery)