Arnold Bronckorst - Paintings and Records

Paintings and Records

In Scotland, Arnold painted the King, Regent Morton, George Buchanan, and the Earl of Arran. According to the inventories of the Earl of Leicester, the earl had a portrait of the 'young king of Scots' in 1580, which may have been a copy of Arnold's picture. Leicester sent his own portrait to James VI, painted on canvas by Hubbard in 1583.

Arnold was paid £130 Scots for portraits of James VI in April 1580. Sittings for the King's picture by the "Flemish painter" at Stirling Castle during the difficult political circumstances in 1579 were mentioned in a letter sent to George Bowes in England, the brother of the diplomat Robert Bowes.

"The Flemish painter is in Stirling, in working of the King's portaiture, but expelled forth of the place at the beginnings of thir (these) troubles. I am presently travelling (working) to obtain him license to see the King's presence thrice in the day, till the end of his work; quhilk (which) will be no sooner perfected nor nine days, after the obtaining of this license."

A son of George Bowes, also called George, was later sent into Scotland as a mineral prospector at Wanlockhead in 1603 with Sir Bevis Bulmer, which may relate to Stephen Atkinson's gold-mining story. By September 1580, Arnold had completed a half and full length of the king and a portrait of George Buchanan for £64.

After receiving £46 for portraits of James on 6 September 1581, on 19 September 1581 Arnold was appointed to the post of King's Painter, the first such appointment in Scotland. Royal letters, and account entries, from this time describe him as a flemyng. Bronckorst returned to London in 1583 where he disappears from view. He was succeeded as court painter in Scotland by another Flemish artist, Adrian Vanson, who was subsequently appointed King's Painter.

One portrait signed and dated 1578 by Bronckorst survives; the English sitter Oliver St John of Bletso, was the father of a reluctant keeper and juror of Mary Queen of Scots.