Frans Pourbus I (1545 - 1581)

Frans Pourbus I (1545 - 1581) - photo 1

Frans Pourbus I

Frans Pourbus the Elder was a Flemish Renaissance painter born in 1545 in Bruges, known for his portraiture and religious compositions, as well as a few genre scenes. He inherited a rich artistic legacy as the son of the painter Pieter Pourbus and the father of Frans Pourbus the Younger, an internationally recognized portraitist​​.

Pourbus’ art is celebrated for its meticulous detail and psychological depth, particularly in his portraits which primarily featured members of the rising middle class, high clergy, local aristocrats, and foreign dignitaries. His acute observational skills and subtle modeling of facial features provided a vivid psychological insight into his sitters, as seen in the Portrait of an Unknown Man​​.

His religious works were often commissioned by patrons outside Antwerp and included significant projects like the History of Saint Andrew and the Triptych of Viglius Aytta for St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent. After the Iconoclastic Fury in 1566, he received a prestigious commission to redecorate the choir of the St. Martin's Abbey church in Tournai​​.

Pourbus’ works are held in high esteem and can be found in several museums and galleries, such as the National Galleries of Scotland and The National Gallery in London, where his pieces continue to draw the admiration of art collectors and experts in the field​​​​​​.

For enthusiasts and experts in Renaissance art and those interested in the intricate craft of portrait painting, Frans Pourbus the Elder’s work stands as a significant reference point for the cultural and artistic achievements of the period. To remain updated on sales and auction events related to Frans Pourbus the Elder, art collectors and antiques experts are encouraged to sign up for updates. This will ensure that you are always informed about new opportunities to acquire works by or related to this master artist.

Date and place of birt:1545, Bruges, Belgium
Date and place of death:19 september 1581, Antwerp, Belgium
Nationality:Belgium
Period of activity: XVI century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Art school / group:Flemish School, Guild of Saint Luke
Genre:Portrait, Religious genre
Art style:Northern Renaissance, Old Masters

Creators Belgium

Eugène Boch (1855 - 1941)
Eugène Boch
1855 - 1941
Jan van Kessel II (1654 - 1708)
Jan van Kessel II
1654 - 1708
Michel Seuphor (1901 - 1999)
Michel Seuphor
1901 - 1999
Michael Borremans (1963)
Michael Borremans
1963
Joseph Théodore Coosemans (1828 - 1904)
Joseph Théodore Coosemans
1828 - 1904
Joos van Cleve (1485 - 1540)
Joos van Cleve
1485 - 1540
Olivier Strebelle (1927 - 2017)
Olivier Strebelle
1927 - 2017
Albert Baertsoen (1866 - 1922)
Albert Baertsoen
1866 - 1922
Sebastian Vrancx (1573 - 1647)
Sebastian Vrancx
1573 - 1647
Jacques Joseph Eckhout (1793 - 1861)
Jacques Joseph Eckhout
1793 - 1861
Philips Galle (1537 - 1612)
Philips Galle
1537 - 1612
Guy Peellaert (1934 - 2008)
Guy Peellaert
1934 - 2008
Charles Louis Verboeckhoven (1802 - 1889)
Charles Louis Verboeckhoven
1802 - 1889
Marcel Jefferys (1872 - 1924)
Marcel Jefferys
1872 - 1924
Jean-Michel Cels (1819 - 1894)
Jean-Michel Cels
1819 - 1894
Jean Louis van Kuyck (1821 - 1871)
Jean Louis van Kuyck
1821 - 1871

Creators Northern Renaissance

Diego Velázquez (1599 - 1660)
Diego Velázquez
1599 - 1660
Jean-Baptiste van Loo (1684 - 1745)
Jean-Baptiste van Loo
1684 - 1745
Justus Danckerts I (1635 - 1701)
Justus Danckerts I
1635 - 1701
Eglon van der Neer (1635 - 1703)
Eglon van der Neer
1635 - 1703
Jacob Levecq (1634 - 1675)
Jacob Levecq
1634 - 1675
Balthasar Moncornet (1600 - 1668)
Balthasar Moncornet
1600 - 1668
Peter van Bleeck (1697 - 1764)
Peter van Bleeck
1697 - 1764
Joachim Beuckelaer (1530 - 1573)
Joachim Beuckelaer
1530 - 1573
Adam de Coster (1586 - 1643)
Adam de Coster
1586 - 1643
Francesco Furini (1600 - 1646)
Francesco Furini
1600 - 1646
Joachim Patinir (1483 - 1524)
Joachim Patinir
1483 - 1524
Domenico Maria Canuti (1625 - 1684)
Domenico Maria Canuti
1625 - 1684
Charles-Louis Clérisseau (1721 - 1820)
Charles-Louis Clérisseau
1721 - 1820
Paul Coecke van Aelst (1530 - 1569)
Paul Coecke van Aelst
1530 - 1569
Charles de La Fosse (1636 - 1716)
Charles de La Fosse
1636 - 1716
Viviano Codazzi (1604 - 1670)
Viviano Codazzi
1604 - 1670