Artist: Albrecht Frans Lieven De Vriendt
Title: Portrait of a Cardinal
Date: 1886
Medium: Pencil and watercolor
Dimensions: 36 x 25 cm
Provenance: Arenberg Auctions
Inscription/Signature: Signed and dated "A. De Vriendt 86" in upper left corner (brown stain in upper left corner)
Description: "Portrait of a Cardinal" is a masterful piece that captures the contemplative stance of a cardinal from a profile angle. The exceptional rendition of anatomy and the character depicted through expression showcase the artist's skill in portraiture. The red garments of the cardinal frame his face, creating a striking focal point that draws the viewer's eye. The background, rendered in a toned-down burnt sienna, provides a subtle contrast that allows the portrait to dominate the composition. The piece is signed and dated "A. De Vriendt 86" in the upper left corner, affirming its authenticity and date of creation.

Biography of Albrecht De Vriendt:

Albrecht Frans Lieven De Vriendt, also known in French-language publications as Albert De Vriendt or Albert François Lieven De Vriendt (8 December 1843 – 14 October 1900), was a Belgian painter renowned for his genre scenes, history paintings, interiors, and figure paintings. He was also active as an author, publisher, copyist, watercolorist, and etcher. De Vriendt was an influential figure in the monumentalist movement in Belgium, continuing the tradition of the Belgian Romantic-historical school long after it had been abandoned in his country and abroad. He often collaborated with his brother, the painter Juliaan De Vriendt, on decorative projects. Albrecht served as the director of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp.

Born in Ghent, De Vriendt was initially trained by his father, Jan Bernard (Jean) de Vriendt, a decorative painter. He later studied under Victor Lagye and was influenced by Jan August Hendrik Leys, the pre-eminent history painter in Belgium at the time. De Vriendt's artistic reputation grew over the years, and he received numerous honors and memberships in various academies and societies. He was appointed as a commander of the Order of Leopold and other prestigious orders, and he advised on public artistic projects in his role as a member of the provincial commission of the Royal Commission of Monuments.

De Vriendt's principal subject matter was the glorious Belgian and Flemish history from the 15th to 17th centuries. His works are characterized by their colorful and detailed depictions of historical events, contributing to the creation of a national identity for the young Belgian state. One of his notable works is "Philip I conferring the Order of the Golden Fleece on his son Charles" (1880), which exemplifies his skill in rendering fabrics and expressions.