After a stint at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, 'Jan Gossaert's Renaissance' opens at London's National Gallery on 23 February 2011. The exhibition includes more than 80 works, and places Gossaert in the context of the art and artists that influenced his development. The exhibition aims to celebrate his role as an artistic pioneer, bridging the gap between the Northern and Southern Renaissances.
Jan Gossaert and the Northern Renaissance
Jan Gossaert was active from around 1503, and made his name working for wealthy members of the Burgundian court in the Low Countries. In 1508-09, he became the first Northern artist to travel to Rome. Part of a diplomatic mission to Pope Julius II, Gossaert took the opportunity to sketch the monuments and sculptures of ancient Rome, introducing the Italian Renaissance style of depicting historical and mythological subjects into the art of the Low Countries as a result.
Jan Gossaert's Renaissance Exhibition
'Jan Gossaert's Renaissance' is displayed across six rooms. The exhibition traces the key themes of his career, as well as sculpture, prints and drawings by his contemporaries such as Albrecht Dürer.
Gossaert's work encompassed biblical (Adam and Eve was a favourite subject) and mythological paintings, along with portraits. The largest room of the exhibition is devoted to Gossaert's portraits, which are notable for his close study of physiognomy.
A highlight of the exhibition is the re-uniting of a triptych for the first time since it was painted in the early 16th century – the centre panel 'Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane' (1509-10, Gemäldegalerie, Berlin), and its exterior wings 'Saint Jerome Penitent' (National Gallery of Art, Washington).
Van Eyck to Gossaert: Towards a Northern Renaissance
The exhibition is accompanied by the book Van Eyck to Gossaert: Towards a Northern Renaissance by Susan Frances Jones. The book provides commentaries on 50 works from the National Gallery's collection, beginning with Jan van Eyck and ending with Pieter Bruegel.
Van Eyck to Gossaert: Towards a Northern Renaissance, published by the National Gallery, London ISBN 978 1 85709 505 03
'Jan Gossaert's Renaissance' runs from 23 February to 30 May 2011 at the National Gallery Sainsbury Wing, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. The gallery is open daily 10am to 6pm, Fridays 10am to 9pm. Tickets cost £10. The gallery will hold a series of lectures, talks and workshops connected with the exhibition.
The exhibition is curated by Dr Susan Foister, the National Gallery's Deputy Director and Director of Collections, and is supported by the Flemish Government.
Sources:
National Gallery press release (accessed 20 February 2011)
Susan Foister, 'Jan Gossaert: Northern Light' (History Today, 19 January 2011)
Paris Franz - Paris Franz is a London-based freelance journalist, specialising in the arts, history and travel.
