Mid 16th Century English School

Portrait of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Mid 16th Century Oil

Remigius Van Leemput Portrait of Nicholas Poyntz 1607-1675 Oil on oak panel, unsigned Image size: 13 x 10 1/4 inches (33 x 26 cm) Contemporary style frame Provenance The Dalva Brot...

Pupil of Rembrandt Portrait of a Young Man 17th Century Oil on oak panel Image size: 4 1/4 x 5 inches (11 x 13 cm) Dutch ebonised frame This small portrait is of a young man, staring inquisitively out towards the viewer. The realism of his appearance is striking, with great care taken in the depiction of the man’s features - for example, his full lips and the slight bump in the bridge of his nose. The man wears a rich burgundy doublet and a black cap and is adorned with gold accessories, indicating a degree of wealth - it is likely that this is a miniature portrait for a wealthy patron. The warm flesh tones of this painting and the intricate rendering of the man’s curly brown hair demonstrate the artistry of the painter, who has successfully captured the image of youth within his brushstrokes. Rembrandt’s Pupils Upon completing his artistic education, Rembrandt opened a studio and began to take students - the first of which were Gerrit Dou and Isaac Jouderville. The studio functioned as an art school, in which materials and guidance were provided - contrary to the studios of his peers, Rembrandt did not offer lodging to his pupils. The families of prospective pupils had to pay Rembrandt 100 guilders (enough for a house at the time) for this artistic education, and the profits from any works produced by pupils under Rembrandt would be paid to the master rather than kept by the student-artist - this contributed substantially to  the master’s income.When taking on pupils, Rembrandt looked for those who could already paint, and guided their styles to reflect his. By choosing pupils who were somewhat experienced artists, Rembrandt had an array of painters that could be involved at any stage of assisting with the creation of his works - in this way, Rembrandt’s pupils often functioned as studio assistants as well. In order to perfect Rembrandt’s style, pupils would paint copies of their teacher’s works, sometimes adding their own distinct variations. They would use the same subjects and models as Rembrandt himself, and would accompany him on outdoor trips to paint nature and landscapes. The extensive copying and utilisation of same source materials has rendered Rembrandt’s work and the work of his pupils difficult to differentiate, even in the modern era.At least 50 pupils were taught by Rembrandt, with many continuing on to become his studio assistants. A few graduated into successful artists in their own right - for example, Govaert Flinck...

Oil on oak panel Image size: 25 1/2 x 19 inches (37.5 x 27 inches) 18th Century Auricular gilt frame Provenance New York private collection This portrait of the King Edward VI depicts the boy-king standing in a black and gold embroidered doublet, wearing a jewelled cap. King Edward holds a staff with a globus cruciger set on the table beside him. No expense has been spared in the making of this piece, with gold leaf being applied in many areas to give the effect of the costume's gold embroidery, chain of office and other metal accessories. As the precious male heir to the Tudor dynasty...

Studio of Adriaen Isenbrandt 1510 - 1551 The Virgin and Child Enthroned Oil on oak panel, wax seal verso Image size: 10 3/4 x 8 inches (27 x 20.5 cm) Contemporary style frame (image below) POA Provenance Collection of Mrs Marianne Hudson Mary, holding Jesus in her arms, is centrally positioned against a gold detailed architectural backdrop, reflecting the traditional iconography of the enthroned Virgin and Child. This composition suggests the theme of “Maestà” or “Majesty,” emphasising the figures religious significance. In the painting from the studio of Adriaen Isenbrandt, the artist masterfully infuses the scene with rich symbolism and hidden meanings that reflect the cultural and religious context of the period. The infant Christ, seated on the Virgin Mary’s lap, is draped in a delicate, translucent white garment that symbolises his purity. In his hand, he clutches a piece of coral, a multifaceted symbol representing immortality, youth, and health. Notably, coral was also a common teething tool during that era, adding another layer of contemporary relevance. A scarlet-headed blackbird, native to South America, perches gracefully on Christ’s outstretched finger. This bird is a potent symbol of creation and protection, enhancing the divine narrative of the scene. Mary, with a tender and loving gesture, caresses Christ’s back while gazing adoringly at her son, underscoring her role as the nurturing mother of God. Mary is centrally positioned within an architectural alcove, which subtly suggests a heavenly halo without explicitly depicting one. The alcove’s niches, traditionally used to emphasise the importance of sculptures, further highlight her significance. She is adorned in a voluminous red gown, with the undulating folds of the fabric accentuated by white highlights. The red colour of her dress symbolises maternal qualities, while the iridescent blue undercoat, visible in certain areas, signifies sanctity and purity due to its rarity and expense at the time. Moreover, Mary is depicted as the epitome of contemporary Medieval...