Arnold Bronckorst, or Bronckhorst (floruit 1565–1583) was a painter of Netherlandish origin who was court painter to James VI of Scotland.
According to a later source, Bronckorst first appears in London, associated with English painter Nicholas Hilliard, when they went to Scotland on business concerned with gold mining, meeting Regent Morton.[1] Although unsuccessful in obtaining warrants for the export of gold, he was hired by Morton to paint portraits of the young king (later James I of England) and later painted Morton, George Buchanan, and the Earl of Arran.[2] According to the inventories of the Earl of Leicester, he had a portrait of the 'young king of Scots' in 1580, which may have been another copy of this picture.[3] Leicester sent his own portrait to James VI, painted on canvas by Hubbard in 1583.[4]
Arnold was paid £130 Scots for portraits of James VI in April 1580.[5] The sittings for these pictures by the "Flemish painter" at Stirling Castle in difficult political circumstances were mentioned in an English letter.[6] By September 1580, Arnold had completed a half and full length of the king and a portrait of George Buchanan for £64.[7]
After receiving £46 for portaits 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.[8] 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.[9]
One portrait signed and dated 1578 by Bronckorst survives; the English sitter Sir Oliver St John of Bletso, was the father of a reluctant keeper and juror of Mary Queen of Scots.[10]
The National Galleries of Scotland hold a number of portraits by Bronckorst:
| Preceded by Pierre Quesnel |
Painter at the Scottish royal court 1580–1583 |
Succeeded by Adrian Vanson |