Jan Mabuse

Background

Jan Mabuse was born in about 1478, in Maubeuge, which is now part of France.

Education

Nothing definite is known about Jan Mabuse`s early life and education.

Career

By 1508, he was almost certainly in the service of Philip of Burgundy, bastard son of Philip the Good. Later Mabuse accompanied Philip of Burgundy on his mission to Rome, where they arrived on January 14, 1509. During the diplomatic mission, it was Philip's task to resolve the disputes of opinion with the Pope concerning the naming of the high clergymen. According to the history, Mabuse recorded the antique monuments for the art-loving prince. As such, Mabuse is the first artist from the Low Countries who travelled to Rome and studied the classical and Italian arts. It seems that Mabuse was the only one of the participants of the mission who remained behind in Rome in order to further work on the sketches for Philip, but it is not clear how long he remained in Rome. Two of the sketches that he made in Rome are his Colosseum (Kupferstichkabinett der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin) and Standing Hercules (previously collection of Lord Wharton, London).

By the end of 1509 Philip of Burgundy established himself after his return from Rome in Castle Souburg, nearby to Middelburg. It is uncertain if Mabuse was in service of Philip at that moment. In any case, he is free to take on assignments from others.

Afterwards Mabuse may have met the Venetian artist Jacopo De'Barbari at Castle Souburg. These artists had worked together on works of art for the residence, however, there is nothing known with certainty.

It is possible that in 1513, Mabuse stayed at the court of Margaret of Austria in Mechelen and there he met Antonio Siciliano, the commissioner of the Doria Diptych.

According to a recent hypothesis (Ainsworth 2010), Mabuse worked together with Gerard David in this period. David's hand is recognised in the left panel of the Doria Diptych, in The Adoration and in the Malvagna Triptych. For the right panel of the Doria Diptych, Mabuse may have collaborated with a landscape artist.

In March 1516, Mabuse received 15 pounds paid out for his contribution to the designs of the triumphal carriage for the mourning service of Ferdinand of Aragon. The triumphal carriage was designed in close consultation with Philip of Burgundy. It is possible that two sketches can be connected with the triumphal carriage of men decked out in military garb (Kupferstichkabinett, Dresden and Staedelsches Kunstinstitut, Frankfurt am Main).

Mabuse travelled with Philip to Brussels in order to attend the services. There he received the assignment from Charles V to paint two portraits of Eleonora of Austria.

In this year he also painted his first dated painting Neptune and Amphitrite (Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen, Berlin) for Philip. The unconventional mythological subject, the way in which the nudes are presented with great emphasis on the individual muscles and the classical architecture give the artwork an unmistakable Renaissance character.

In 1517 Philip of Burgundy became Bishop of Utrecht. He left Castle Souburg and established himself in castle Wijk bij Duurstede. He remained living there until his death in 1524. Mabuse relocated along with him and received various assignments for the decoration of this castle. Gossaert received assignments that result from the new function of his patron. The artist probably designed two seals and was involved with two projects for the Cathedral of Utrecht.

In this year, Gossaert painted Hercules and Deianira (The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham) and Diptych of Jean Carondelet (Musée du Louvre, Paris). In the former painting, Mabuse used the innovations that he had employed in Neptune and Amphitrite. In the diptych he followed a more conservative route.

In 1520, Jan Mabuse painted an altarpiece for the Premonstratensian Abbey of Middelburg. His altarpiece of the Descent from the Cross with heavy double doors was admired by Albrecht Dürer before the church itself was hit by lightning. This is possibly the work now in the Hermitage, although there is an information that the altarpiece went lost during a fire that broke out in 1568.

In 1523 Mabuse worked for Margaret of Austria. He restored various paintings. In this period he stayed with the sculptor Conrad Meit, the court artist of Margaret of Austria and lived in Mechelen. Meit had a great influence on Mabuse's portrait art.

In 1524-1533 came the many presentations of Madonna and Child. From these same compositions there are various versions known.

On April 7, 1524, Philip of Burgundy died. Mabuse thus lost his most important patron. In the period that Mabuse was in the service of the bishop he became very famous. The artist continued to receive many commissions from high-ranking figures, such as, inter alia, by Adolf of Burgundy, King Christian II of Denmark, Henry III of Nassau and his wife Mencía de Mendoza. For Adolf of Burgundy he painted the portrait of his wife Anna van Bergen as Mary with her son on her arm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).

In 1527 Mabuse painted Danaë (Alte Pinakothek, Munich; dated and signed IOANNES MALBODIVS PINGEBAT 1527). This is the only mythological work that he made after the death of Philip of Burgundy.

From 1530 until his death Mabuse received a quarterly subsidy from the marquise Mencía de Mendoza. It is exceptional that an artist received such an annual stipend.

The most recent work that has survived is Madonna and Child in Landscape (The Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio). It is dated 1531.

Jan Mabuse died between September 12 and October 13, 1532. This can be deduced from documents in which Mencía de Mendoza paid out a portion of his annual stipend.

Achievements

• Jan Mabuse was one of the first artists to introduce the style of the Italian Renaissance into the Low Countries. He achieved fame across at least northern Europe, and painted religious subjects, including large altarpieces, but also portraits and mythological subjects, including some nudity.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Listing 6) Lithograph Prints( Adoration of the Kings By Jan Gossaert Mabuse)

    (The Worlds Famous Pictures Old & Modern Masters Listing 6...)

  • Jan Gossaert. Mary and the child detail Maximum Cards Original Vintage Postcard

    (Original Vintage Postcard: Jan Gossaert Mary and the chil...)

  • Adoration Kings Jan Gossaert Wall Mural by Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Graphic (24 in H x 22 in W) WM355506

    (Transform your room with freshly printed Wallmonkeys viny...)

  • Oil Painting Jan Gossaert - Henry III Of Nassau-Breda Pillow Cases 18 X 18 Inches / 45 By 45 Cm Gift Or Decor For Chair,outdoor,gf,office,relatives,teens Girls - Double Sides

    (The pillow case is made of thick plush which is extremely...)

  • 1931 Ad Wildenstein Art Gallery 647 Fifth Ave NY Madonna Baby Jan Gossart Mabuse - Original Print Ad

    (This is an original 1931 black and white print ad for Wil...)

  • The Oil Painting Jan Gossaert - St. Luke Painting The Madonna Pillowcase Of 20 X 20 Inches / 50 By 50 Cm Decoration Gift For Son Shop Teens Girls Divan Deck Chair Bedroom (twin Sides)

    (Best For Home Decoration. All cushions are handmade, so p...)

References

• Jan Gossaert (Mabuse) The Adoration of the Kings, in the National Gallery, London
• Man, Myth, and Sensual Pleasures: Jan Gossart's Renaissance: The Complete Works
• Jan Gossaert (Mabuse): The adoration of the kings in the National Gallery, London, and 19 illus (The Gallery books)
• Jan Gossart and the Invention of Netherlandish Antiquity
• Jan Gossaert