|
|
Jans, Salomon, Dirck,
|
|
|
Exquisite floral displays are Dirck de Bray's legacy: he excelled at still life celebrating bouquets. |
Salomon de Bray
Title: Jael, Deborah and Barak, 1635
Artist: Salomon de Bray (Dutch 1597-1664)
Medium: Oil on Panel
Dimensions: 86.5 x 71.5
Permanent Collection: Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht.
Image Courtesy: Dulwich Picture Gallery
Of Salomon's ten children, three followed in his footsteps and became artists: Jan, Dirck and Joseph. His preferred subjects were religious scenes. De Bray was an architect but few of his works were completed. He published a book about then contemporary architecture called Architectura Moderna.
He wrote and published poetry; one of his works was set to music by his friend the composer Cornelis Padbrué. His daughter Cornelia married the artist Jan Lievens.
Jan de Bray
Title: A girl with a dove and a boy, 1652
Artist: Jan de Bray (Dutch c.1627-1697)
Medium: Oil on Panel
Dimensions: 36.5 x 27
Private Collection
Image Courtesy: Dulwich Picture Gallery
Jan de Bray developed the genre known as portriait historié were the sitters adopt the roles of mythological or historical figures.
Active in his native Haarlem, for years de Bray was dean of that city's Artist's Guild. Tragedy was part and parcel of his life. He married three times each time his wife died within a few years of their marriage. His father and several siblings fell victim to the plague of 1663-1664.
Title: Regentesses of the Leper, Plague and Mental Hospital in Haarlem, 1667
Artist: Jan de Bray (Dutch c.1627-1697)
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 142 x 197.5
Permanent Collection: Frans Hals Museum Haarlem.
Image Courtesy: Dulwich Picture Gallery
Frans Hals was a strong influence on Jan de Bray.
Joseph de Bray
Only three known Joseph de Bray paintings survive; all on one theme, a herring.
The De Brays are the subject of an exhibit at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, which focuses heavily on the works of father and son : Salomon and Jan. The De Brays Master Painters of 17th Century Holland is now on display and continues though October 5, 2008.
Painting Family:
The De Brays
Master Painters of 17th Century Holland
Dulwich Picture Gallery:
July 9 - October 5, 2008