Jan Gossaert

Jan Gossaert – Trip to Rome as turning point and guide

Jan Gossaert was born around 1478, probably in Maubiege, which he called his hometown and honoured by taking the pseudonym ‘Mabuse’. His early years are a mystery, as is his training as a painter, and it was only with his move to Antwerp that the traces become clearer: They reveal that he married Margareta de Molder, probably a daughter of the carver Jan de Molder, and taught apprentices himself - one of his students was Jan van Dornicke, who was attested as a master in 1518. Both Jan van Dornicke and his later student Pieter Coecke van Aelst were strongly influenced by Gossaert's work. In 1508, Gossaert accompanied the Dutch Admiral and later Bishop of Utrecht, Philip of Burgundy, on his journey to Rome where issues of canon law were to be discussed with Pope Julius II. His stay in Rome, which only a short time later plunged the German reformer Martin Luther into pure horror with its penchant for worldliness and carnal lust, had a decisive influence on Jan Gossaert's further career.

In Jan Gossaert's magnificent paintings, appearance is reality

Jan Gossaert was not interested in the inside, in the soul of the person, but in the shell, in the outside, which he designed as magnificently as possible and executed with perfect technical mastery. His numerous religious depictions also did not deviate from this line; his Madonnas and female angelic figures served more for sensual pleasure than for contemplative inspiration. When he painted real people, they were usually men and members of the upper class, whom he portrayed with great punk and effort. Posterity sometimes felt repelled by this focus on the superficial and denied Jan Gossaert the true term of master which one wished to be measured by the depth and sensitivity of an artist. Today, art critics recognise Gossaert's magnificent technique and his strong sense of aesthetics; they honour him as a cross-border artist who mixed traditional traditions with new influences and thus embodied a time of transition in a fascinating way. Today, the idiosyncratic master's paintings are as sought after as they are rare. Not least because of their rare availability, works by Jan Gossaert command prices in the millions.

Jan Gossaert led a life between success and excess

Jan Goessart painted a large number of nudes for his patron Philip of Burgundy, for which he filled the cool distance of the fine painterly Renaissance with a new sensuality. After Philip's death, Gossaert designed his tomb and entered the service of Philip's brother Adolph, the Marquis of Veeren. During this time, alcoholism became an increasing issue for the artist; his addiction also led to a memorable presentation before Emperor Charles V, where the artist was wrapped only in a paper robe. His patron had actually provided him with sufficient funds for an appropriate outfit, but Gossaert had drunk the money away. Only the intervention of the amused emperor saved him from punishment by the angry marquis.