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The Family of Jan Brueghel the Elder

Maker

(Artists)
1577-1640

Title

Date of Production

c. 1613-15

Medium

oil on panel

Dimensions

Height: 125.1 cm (panel)
Width: 95.2 cm (panel)

Accession Number

P.1978.PG.362

Mode of Acquisition

Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978

Credit

The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Copyright

Work in the public domain

Location

On display

Keywords

Label Text

This painting celebrates family and friendship. It is a touching portrait of the family of the artist Jan Brueghel by his close friend and collaborator Peter Paul Rubens. Brueghel’s wife, Catharina, is at the heart of this intimate group, surrounded by her children Pieter and Elisabeth. Their hands meet tenderly in the centre. Rubens added the figure of Brueghel at a late stage, painting him over the dark background.

The Brueghel family wear their finest clothes and are presented as wealthy citizens of Antwerp. Catharina’s gemstone bracelets must have been especially meaningful to the couple. Their son Pieter touches one of them and they also appear in several still life paintings by Brueghel himself, including the one illustrated below.

The dating of the work is based on the children’s perceived ages. They both died, along with their father, during the cholera epidemic of 1625.

Provenance

Jan Brueghel the Elder; Ambrosius Brueghel; Jan Borrekens; Anna Brueghel-Teniers; David Teniers III; by descent until early 18th century; Duchess of Cumberland in 1789; W A Coats by 1904, sold Christie's, 10 June 1927 (132); J A Coats, sold Christie's, 12 April 1935 (82); bought Sabin Galleries, London; acquired by Count Antoine Seilern, London, 1948; Princes Gate Bequest 1978.

Exhibition History

The Courtauld at the National Gallery, National Gallery, London, 27/03/2019-05/08/2019

National Gallery (permanent display during closure), National Gallery, London, 14/09/2018-03/09/2021

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