Adriaen Thomasz. Key

Adriaen Thomasz. Key worked in the artistic community of sixteenth-century Antwerp. Trained by Willem Key, with whom any family relationship remains uncertain, he became a master of the Guild of Saint Luke in 1568. Alongside portraits, he produced altarpieces and designs for woodcuts. Registered as a Calvinist after Antwerp was captured in 1585, he nevertheless continued painting and training pupils.

His portrait of William the Silent, dated 1579 and held by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, sets an individually observed face and white ruff against a dark background. In the Prado’s Family Portrait, signed in 1583, a father and six children occupy almost the entire wooden panel. Their identities remain unknown. These paintings bring the representation of social standing together with attentive observation of the people portrayed.

Works recorded at auction

Lempertz · Lot 1019

Bildnis einer Dame, die eine goldene Kette mit Anhänger in der Hand hält

Oil on wood

Original catalogue wording

Bildnis einer Dame, die eine goldene Kette mit Anhänger in der Hand hält
Öl auf Holz

Auction date : 2017-05-20

Published result : 52080 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 50000

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