Portrait of a Cardinal – Signed Oil Painting by Jacques van den Bussche “Roma”
CHF 1200
A dignified and rare ecclesiastical portrait by French artist Jacques van den Bussche, this work depicts a Catholic cardinal in vivid crimson robes, set against a turbulent Roman sky. The subject’s calm expression, the fine detail in the fabric, and the soft interplay of light and shadow suggest a deliberate departure from van den Bussche’s usual Provençal scenes. Signed “van den Bussche Roma,” the painting may have been created during a period of artistic study or travel in Italy, offering a glimpse into a rarely documented chapter of his oeuvre.
Origin: Rome, Italy
Artist / Verlag: Jacques van den Bussche (French, 1925–2001)
Year / Period: Mid-20th Century (ca. 1950s–1960s)
Materials: Oil on canvas
Frame & Glazing: Classic wooden frame (35 x 44 cm); no glazing
Features:
- Signed “van den Bussche Roma”, indicating a rare Italian period
- Unique subject matter for the artist—a Catholic cardinal, contrasting his well-known landscape works
- Layered brush technique and dramatic lighting give the work both historical gravitas and painterly warmth
Condition & Measurements:
Minor paint flaking (Farbabsplitterung) in the upper top portion of the canvas; Painting sits well in frame and is otherwise stable
Canvas: 25 x 34 cm
Framed: 35 x 44 cm
