Images from the Baltimore Museum of Art: Renaissance Portraits (from June 29)

Just a sample from on the many galleries at the Baltimore Museum or Art of its permanent collection.  Whenever I visit a familiar museum, I try to spend a little time with some aspect of it with which I am unfamiliar or have brushed by the past.

"Francois de Vendome, Duc de Beaufort" circa 1645, 

by Jean Nocret (1615-1672)

"The Honourable Brownlow North" 1762-1763, 

by Tilly Kettle (1735-1786)

I have to confess, I just fell in love with the names!  Brownlow North?  And, oh Puhleeze!--Tilly Kettle?  They are so freaking rich.  Love them--they need to join the pantheon of notables in the world of Harry Potter or Narnia, right?

"Infanta Ana Mauricia" 1607,

by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (1553-1608)

"Portrait of a Young Woman" circa 1560, 

attributed to Caterina van Hemessen (1528- after 1587)

The painting is brilliantly executed, but so is the frame.  It creates a veritable room around the image that draws your eyes to this mysterious, beautiful anonymous woman.  This is the sort of work that leaves me with a chore--explore this amazing artist that I have just discovered: Caterina van Hemessen.  Isn't that what a trip to a museum ought to do for you?