Pieter Pourbus: Portrait of Jan van Eyewerve and Jacquemyne Buuck (1551)


(Groeningemuseum, Bruges, Belgium)

A set of two paintings of the Dutch artist Pieter Pourbus (1523-1584). As usual these two portraits were commissioned by this couple to celebrate their wedding. The depicted couple are from the Flemish town of Bruges. The man is Jan van Eyewerve (aged 29 here), a wine merchant. He is 29 here and is probably standing in his house on the Vlamingstraat in Bruges. Very interesting is the crane which can be seen in the window which is standing next to the 'weighing house' (a public building at or within which goods are weighed). The lady is his wife Jacquemyne Buuck (aged 19 here). The clothing of the couple is black and sober but elegant - fitting of their high social status. In the corners are their coat of arms. Painting from 1551.