The Dutch painter Jan Gossaert used many different names during his career. Other artist names and synonyms by which he was known were Jan Mabuse, derived from his birthplace Mabeuge or Jennyn van Hennegouwe. With the latter name he registered in 1503 at the Luke's Guild in Antwerp. Little is known about his career. However, his artistic talent suggests that he must have had a good education. Between 1503 and 1508 Gossaert lived and worked in Antwerp. During this time he had several apprentices, among them was Jan van Dornicke. Other students who apprenticed with him were Jan van Scorel and Jan Mertens the younger. From 1508 Gossaert entered the service of Philip of Burgundy. For the rest of his life he worked almost exclusively for noble houses. Some of his other clients were friends and acquaintances of his patron and employer.
When Philip of Burgundy was sent as ambassador to Rome and to Pope Julius II in the Vatican, Gossaert accompanied him. This made him the first Dutch artist to travel to Italy at the time and paved the way for many other artists' journeys to Italy such as Peter Paul Rubens. The impressions of Italian art exerted a great fascination on the Flemish painter. Thus Gossaert became one of the first painters of the Dutch Renaissance, also known as Romanism. Even after his return from Italy in 1509, Gossaert tried to continue his studies of Italian art by studying copper engravings by Marcantonio Raimondi and Jacopo de Barbari. While his earlier works were strongly oriented towards the style of the Antwerp School and artists such as Jan van Eyck or Albrecht Dürer, he increasingly tried to copy the Italian style in his later works.
After Philip's death, Gossaert entered the service of his brother Adolph, the Marquis of Veeren. The Flemish painter Carel van Mander hinted in his biography that Gossaert cultivated a rather impetuous lifestyle. However, he also admitted that he mastered his craft and always had a well-groomed appearance. Gossaert is said to have had an alcohol problem, which caused him some difficulties. When the Marquis was expecting a visit from Emperor Charles V, he ordered everyone, including Gossaert, to appear dressed in white damask. Unfortunately, Gossaert is said to have sold his damask clothes shortly before to buy alcohol. So he tried to deceive the others and appeared in a costume of very fine paper. But the plan did not work out and the marquis was so angry that he wanted to have Gossaert locked up. But the emperor is said to have been so amused that he saved him from imprisonment. However, Gossaert's numerous works and the fact that he had an intact family life suggests that addiction did not dominate his life.
The Dutch painter Jan Gossaert used many different names during his career. Other artist names and synonyms by which he was known were Jan Mabuse, derived from his birthplace Mabeuge or Jennyn van Hennegouwe. With the latter name he registered in 1503 at the Luke's Guild in Antwerp. Little is known about his career. However, his artistic talent suggests that he must have had a good education. Between 1503 and 1508 Gossaert lived and worked in Antwerp. During this time he had several apprentices, among them was Jan van Dornicke. Other students who apprenticed with him were Jan van Scorel and Jan Mertens the younger. From 1508 Gossaert entered the service of Philip of Burgundy. For the rest of his life he worked almost exclusively for noble houses. Some of his other clients were friends and acquaintances of his patron and employer.
When Philip of Burgundy was sent as ambassador to Rome and to Pope Julius II in the Vatican, Gossaert accompanied him. This made him the first Dutch artist to travel to Italy at the time and paved the way for many other artists' journeys to Italy such as Peter Paul Rubens. The impressions of Italian art exerted a great fascination on the Flemish painter. Thus Gossaert became one of the first painters of the Dutch Renaissance, also known as Romanism. Even after his return from Italy in 1509, Gossaert tried to continue his studies of Italian art by studying copper engravings by Marcantonio Raimondi and Jacopo de Barbari. While his earlier works were strongly oriented towards the style of the Antwerp School and artists such as Jan van Eyck or Albrecht Dürer, he increasingly tried to copy the Italian style in his later works.
After Philip's death, Gossaert entered the service of his brother Adolph, the Marquis of Veeren. The Flemish painter Carel van Mander hinted in his biography that Gossaert cultivated a rather impetuous lifestyle. However, he also admitted that he mastered his craft and always had a well-groomed appearance. Gossaert is said to have had an alcohol problem, which caused him some difficulties. When the Marquis was expecting a visit from Emperor Charles V, he ordered everyone, including Gossaert, to appear dressed in white damask. Unfortunately, Gossaert is said to have sold his damask clothes shortly before to buy alcohol. So he tried to deceive the others and appeared in a costume of very fine paper. But the plan did not work out and the marquis was so angry that he wanted to have Gossaert locked up. But the emperor is said to have been so amused that he saved him from imprisonment. However, Gossaert's numerous works and the fact that he had an intact family life suggests that addiction did not dominate his life.
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