Bruyn was the leading portrait painter in Cologne in the 16th century. His birth date is known from Friedrich Hagenauer's portrait medallion of 1539, inscribed bartholomaus bruyn pictor coloniensis anno aetatis xlvi.

His earliest documented altarpiece, the Coronation of the Virgin (1515-16; German priv. col.), was painted for Dr Peter von Clapis, law professor of the University of Cologne, and his wife. On 20 December 1525 he acknowledged receipt of payment for his paintings for the high altar of Essen Cathedral, a commission received in 1522 (of the two pairs of wings one is extant: it has eight panels showing scenes from the Life of Christ). On 22 April 1529 he contracted to do a cycle of paintings for...