Follower of Lorenz Strauch The Elder (1554-1630/1636) - A Primitive 16th-Century Style Antique Oil on Canvas Painting Entitled "Portrait of a Lady"

A striking oil on canvas portrait executed in the primitive style of the late 16th century, by a follower of Lorenz Strauch the Elder (b.1554–d.1630/1636). The composition echoes the solemn realism of Northern Renaissance portraiture, with the sitter rendered in austere profile, adorned in period attire and framed against a muted backdrop.

The original Portrait of a Lady (1592) by Lorenz Strauch the Elder is held in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg, Germany — a key repository of German Renaissance art.

The sitter is unknown. The portrait bears a Latin inscription "Atatis sua 39 AD 1588", although the Latin has been spelt incorrectly, where it should actually state  "Aetatis Suae 39 AD, 1588", meaning "In the 39th year of her age, 1588", a variation to the original museum held work which states "Aetatis Suae XLIX, Anno Domini MDXCI, LS" - the 49th year of her age, 1592, the latter initials referring to the artist Lorenz Strauch.

This homage piece, likely produced in the mid-20th century, draws direct inspiration from Strauch’s original Portrait of a Lady (1592), a work associated with the Nuremberg school. The artist’s technique emulates the flat perspective and stylised detailing characteristic of early Germanic portraiture.

Strauch the Elder was active in Nuremberg.

 Known for:

• Miniature portraits on parchment
• Precise, detailed technique
• Portraiture of Nuremberg's patrician and merchant classes
• The characteristic stiff, formal style of late 16th-century German portraiture
• Use of Latin inscriptions with age notations

The flat, linear quality, meticulous attention to costume details, and the format are very consistent with Strauch's work. The Strauch family workshop was particularly known for these types of highly detailed portraits of the Nuremberg bourgeoisie.

If this indeed was a work by Strauch or from that school, it would be painted on vellum or parchment rather than the canvas seen here. 

Provenance: By the hand of an unknown follower/copier, but certainly undertaken by an accomplished hand. Mid-20th century.

Condition: Offered for sale unframed. Please refer to the images.

Dimensions: Height 76.2 cm × Width 60.9 cm × Depth 2.5 cm (30 inches × 24 inches × 1 inch)