European

Bartholomeus De Bruyn

Germany 1493-1556
Angels Announcing to Abraham the Birth of a Son 25.0124

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It is believed that this painting once comprised the left panel of a triptych, which, according to the donor's notes had originally been located in a chapel at Taun, near Fulda, in Germany. The evidence of a circular frame corner in seen in the upper left of the painting and a bisected figure is seen in the lower right, which bears out the theory that this was once part of a multiple panel painting. The subject matter comes from the book of Genesis and has to do with the announcement to Abraham by angels, that he and his wife Sarah would have a son, Isaac. The partial figure of Abraham and the turban were uncovered during the painting's conservation when discolored varnish was removed. De Bruyn was born in Cologne. His early work resembles that of his master, an unnamed artist who is known now as the Master of the Death of the Virgin. Some scholars believe that this master may have been Joos van Cleve, a multi-talented Antwerp artist. De Bruyn's later style, which would date after this panel was painted, however, shows the influence of Italian painting on northern European art.

 

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