Who painted Albumasar?

Albumasar was painted by Hermann tom Ring in 1568.

Where can I see Albumasar?

Albumasar is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

Artwork

Albumasar

Albumasar is an unspecified painting by Hermann tom Ring. It dates from 1568 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Hermann tom Ring, a 16th‑century painter from Münster, produced the portrait known as *Albumasar* around 1568. The work belongs to the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek and exemplifies the Northern European portrait tradition that combined meticulous observation with contemporary conventions.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified by the title as Albumasar, is shown seated with crossed legs, a full beard and moustache, and a hat and cloak typical of learned men of the period. He cradles a large, round metal sphere in his lap, a device that suggests an association with astronomy or scholarly pursuits, hinting at the intellectual identity of the figure.

Technique & Style

Executed in a Renaissance idiom, the painting displays the detailed realism characteristic of German portraiture, with careful rendering of fabric, facial features, and the reflective metal object. The background consists of a muted, cloudy sky, providing a subtle atmospheric setting that frames the figure without distraction.

History & Provenance

Created in the late 1560s, the portrait entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Tom Ring aligns with the artist’s known output during a period when portrait commissions flourished among scholars and civic elites in the Holy Roman Empire.

Context

*Albumasar* reflects the broader cultural interest in science and learning that marked the Northern Renaissance. Portraits of astronomers and scholars served both as personal commemoration and as visual affirmations of intellectual status within the increasingly learned societies of 16th‑century Germany.