The 1631 publication Architectura Moderna stands as a primary record of Dutch building history, documenting the work of Hendrick de Keyser and Cornelis Danckerts de Ry. Its author, Salomon de Bray, operated within the Dutch Republic as a versatile figure who balanced careers in architecture, poetry, and painting while navigating the complex administrative guilds of the seventeenth century.
Artistic Training and Early Development
Born in Amsterdam in 1597, de Bray moved to Haarlem before 1617. His early instruction likely involved training under Jan Pynas, Nicolaes Moeyaert, and Pieter Lastman. He later participated in a small academy established by Karel van Mander, Hendrick Goltzius, and Cornelis van Haarlem, eventually registering as a pupil to the latter two. His artistic output spanned history paintings, landscapes, and portraits, including notable works such as Portrait of a young woman in fantasy costume and Abrahams offer.
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In 1630, he joined the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke and rose to the position of headman. His tenure was marked by administrative ambition, specifically a 1631 attempt to introduce a new charter for the guild. Signed by prominent members including Willem Claesz Heda and Pieter de Molijn, the document faced rejection from the local council due to its emphasis on painting over other crafts. Additionally, he attempted to locate a guild relic previously stored at the St. Bavo church, though the effort proved unsuccessful.
Architectural Contributions and Urban Design
As an architect, de Bray influenced the landscape of Haarlem through his involvement with the City Hall expansion, the consistory of the Bavokerk, the Zijlpoort, and the St. Annakerk. His reach extended to Nijmegen, where he produced designs for a city orphanage. Furthermore, his urban planning proposals included a northern city expansion featuring three distinct canals, portions of which materialized as the Nieuwe Gracht and Parklaan long after his passing.
Personal Life and Final Years
De Bray married Anna, the sister of Jan and Jacob Westerbaen, in 1625. A member of the Chamber of rhetoric known as De Wijngaertranken, he also engaged in poetry, collaborating with the composer Cornelis Padbrué. The family experienced significant loss in 1664 during an outbreak of the plague; de Bray died in May of that year alongside four of his children, and was buried at the Grote Kerk.
Fast facts
- Born: 1597, Amsterdam
- Died: 11 May 1664, Haarlem
- Occupations: Painter, architect, poet, illustrator, draftsperson
- Notable works: Portrait of a young woman in fantasy costume, Abrahams offer
- Burial site: Grote Kerk
- Citizenship: Dutch Republic
- Notable offspring: Dirck de Bray, Jan de Bray, Joseph de Bray
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Salomon de Bray paint?
He produced history paintings, portraits, and landscapes throughout his career.
Did his children pursue his profession?
Yes, three of his children, Dirck, Jan, and Joseph de Bray, became notable artists.
Achievements
- Notable work: Portrait of a young woman in fantasy costume (Semiramis)
- Notable work: Abrahams offer
