Portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen (c.1520- after 1570) 1538 - 1539

Bartholomäus Bruyn painted this portrait of Elisabeth Bellinghausen around 1540, using oil on panel. Here, we see a woman presented in a formal pose against a flat, blue background, framed by an arch. Her figure is geometrically divided by the strong horizontal line of the belt and the vertical fall of the gold chain. The artist directs our focus through colour, light and shadow. Notice how Bruyn uses light to give volume to the sitter’s face, contrasting it with the dark, velvety fabric of her dress. The textures—the smooth skin, the intricate patterns of her headdress and belt, and the metallic sheen of the chain—engage us through a system of signs. Each element signifies status, wealth, and identity within the cultural codes of the time. What is particularly striking is the destabilisation of conventional portraiture. While maintaining a level of formality, the painting subtly challenges fixed meanings. The sitter's delicate features and contemplative gaze invite a nuanced reading, suggesting a depth beyond mere representation. This work prompts us to question the boundaries between appearance and inner life.