Attributed to Gortizius Geldorp

Attributed to GORTZIUS GELDORP (Louvain, 1553-1618).
"Saint."
Oil on panel.
Measurements: 60 x 46 cm; 74 x 59 cm (frame).
The bust portrait of this young woman, apparently profane, is defined by the presence of a slight halo, whose candor shines in a subtle way on the dark background. It is this halo that indicates that it is a representation of a religious theme and its pearls added to the gesture of the protagonist indicate that it is probably a representation of Magdalene getting rid of vanities. Until the Baroque period Magdalene had been represented in a prayerful attitude, before the cross and the Gospels, in the middle of the desert or in a forest clearing. But in the Baroque period, this representation of Mary, adorned with jewels and portrayed from an opulent perspective, began to be introduced to allude to the life of sin and excesses that preceded the conversion of the saint.
Stylistically the work follows some of the models of Gortzius Geldorp, a Flemish Renaissance artist active in Germany, where he was noted for his portraits. According to Flemish biographer Karel van Mander, Geldorp learned to paint first with Frans Francken I and later with Frans Pourbus the Elder. Geldorp became court painter to the Duke of Terra Nova, Carlo d'Aragona Tagliavia, whom he accompanied on his travels. He traveled to Cologne with the duke, who was involved in peace negotiations with the Dutch Republic. Geldorp remained in the city while continuing to accompany the duke on his travels. In 1610 Geldorp took the position of Barthel Bruyn the Younger in the Cologne city council. Geldorp was a successful portrait painter who worked for the aristocracy and other prominent patrons. Known for his use of a bright and powerful palette in which browns dominate.