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Portrait by Memling returns to Bruges

23 September 2020

The portrait of Francisco (?) de Rojas, painted by Hans Memling in the 15th century, is returning to the city of Bruges, where it was painted.

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It was donated by American philanthropist Bill Middendorf and will be kept at St. John’s Hospital (the Memling Museum). The donation was made with guidance from King Baudouin Foundation US, part of the King Baudouin Foundation network.

Francisco de Rojas, the scion of a noble Spanish family and Ambassador of Spain to the Burgundian court, is portrayed on the lefthand panel (oil on wood; 50.5 cm wide and 104 cm high) of a triptych. On the right-hand panel stood a female figure, probably Mary, reading. It is no longer known with certainty what was on the central panel, although there are indications that it was the crucifixion of Christ.

Hans Memling, Portrait of Francisco (?) De Rojas, c.1470, oil on wood (marouflaged). Donation from William J. Middendorf to the King Baudouin Foundation United States

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