LEYDEN, Lucas van
(b. 1494, Leiden, d. 1533, Leiden)

Self-portrait

1509
Oil on oak, 29 x22 cm
Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum, Braunschweig

Lucas was reported to have been extremely precocious, a competent painter at fifteen. He spent most of his time in Leyden. He died fairly young and believed himself to have been poised by his rivals whom he avoided by working in bed. There are few paintings, but his output of woodcuts was large enough to suggest that he was a busy though not prolific artist.