BARTHOLOMÄUS BRUYN THE ELDER | PORTRAIT OF A MAN

Sir John Frecheville Ramsden, 6thBt (1877-1958), York, England;

His sale, London, Christie's, 11 July 1930, lot 19, to Williams;

Possibly purchased back by Ramsden and sold, London, Christie's, 27 May 1932, lot 47 (as Bruyn), to Fischmann;

Prof. Dr. P. Ganz, Basel;

Private collection, Zurich (here and the above according to a label on the reverse). 

Bartholomäus Bruyn founded an important school of portraiture in Cologne, where there was previously no such tradition. He mainly painted the patricians of the city, but none of his portraits are signed, nor documented as his altarpieces are. This likeness is typical of Bruyn's portraits which show careful attention to physiognomy and facial detail, and are set against a colorful, monochromatic background. The sitter has yet to be identified, though his index ring may provide evidence.