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Triptych with the Lamentation, Jan Jansz Mostaert, c. 1515 - c. 1520

  • Creation date1520
  • Dimensions74.0 x 58.0 cm

Discover Jan Jansz Mostaert, a Dutch Renaissance painter known for captivating portraits & religious scenes. Explore his landscapes & legacy at ArtsDot.com!

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Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

Triptych with the Lamentation, Jan Jansz Mostaert, c. 1515 - c. 1520

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

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Total Price

$ 263

Artwork Description

The centre panel with The Lamentation is a reduced and slightly modified variant of the painting of the same name executed by Geertgen tot Sint Jans around 1485, which is now in Vienna (fig. a).10 The wings, with their continuation of the landscape in the centre panel, show the kneeling donor with St Peter on the left, and the donatrix with St Paul on the right. The donors’ coats of arms on the outer wings were probably added later in the 16th century. The Vienna painting shows the removal of the two thieves from the cross in the left background and the tomb on the right, the one in the Rijksmuseum has Jerusalem in the background and the tomb on the right wing. Although the donor’s portrait behind Joseph of Arimathaea in the Vienna painting is missing here, the group of figures is otherwise broadly the same, as are the colours of the clothing. The weeping Mary on the right, though, has been given a brocade dress, and the hat in the hand of the kneeling Nicodemus is smaller. There are, however, major differences from the model in the pictorial quality and the amount of detail. Like the landscape running across all three panels, the figures in the centre were painted rather flatly, thinly and sketchily, without any finishing touches in the details. This is in marked contrast to the far greater care, detail and refinement with which the donors and their patron saints were depicted. This indicates that the figures on the wings were painted by a far better artist. The refinement in the rendering of the faces and hands, with delicate brown contours and subtle white highlights, confirms the traditional attribution to Jan Mostaert. They are directly comparable to the donors and their patron saints on the wings of a triptych in Brussels of which the centre panel is lost, datable between 1520 and 1525, showing Albrecht Adriaensz van Adrichem and his third wife, Elisabeth van Dorp, who are also accompanied by Sts Peter and Paul (fig. b). 11 The difference in quality between the figures on the centre panel and the wings can also be seen in the underdrawing. On the wings the modelling with the brush in the clothing is painstaking, and is subtle in the faces, whereas the centre panel was prepared sketchily with just a few lines. Only the underdrawing of John’s clothing could be revealed (fig. c). It takes the form of a few lines for the contours and straight parallel hatching for the shadows, and is vaguely similar to the underdrawing of The Holy Kinship attributed to Geertgen tot Sint Jans (SK-A-500).12 The detailed underdrawing in the wings for the clothing of Sts Peter and Paul (fig. d, fig. e), with two layers of short parallel hatchings in and on top of the folds, and the modelling of their hands and faces, are very similar to that in the Brussels wings mentioned earlier (fig. f). The background of the centre panel is indicated with a few sketchy chalk lines (fig. g), and in the wings with broad brushed lines, while the hills with the castle on the left panel were broadly drawn with a brush (fig. d). Dendrochronology has revealed that the centre panel may have been painted before the wings. The ground and paint layers on the centre panel extend right to the edges, which is evidence that this panel was not painted while it was in its frame, as was customary at the time. The wings, which have unpainted edges and must thus have been painted in their frames, may have been added to a centre panel that was executed earlier, which would explain the later dendrochronology. On the other hand, the landscape running across all three panels and the tomb on the right wing do make the triptych a single iconographic and stylistic ensemble. The broadly painted landscape in all three panels also appears to have been executed in the same style, with reserves being left for the figures on the wings, which must have been underdrawn and painted by Jan Mostaert. The stylistic similarities between these figures and those in the Brussels panels, which were probably executed a little later, point to a date of c. 1515-20 for the Rijksmuseum painting. Although the triptych has been attributed to Mostaert since its purchase in 1903, there have long been doubts about the attribution of the centre panel. Up until now the wings have been regarded as relatively early works by Mostaert, with a dating of 1500-10.13 Going by the dating of the wings to the second decade of the 16th century, the woman is wearing rather old-fashioned attire, which could indicate that she was quite old. The fairly broad lappets of her headdress, with the sides hanging to below her chin, were fashionable around 1510. She is wearing a black gown lined with grey fur. Her skirt is tucked into her belt at the back, revealing a coloured underskirt. The cuffs of the wide sleeves are not turned back to the shoulder in the modern manner. She is wearing a black partlet over her shoulders. Her husband has black pattens over yellowish leather shoes, a black fur-lined gown and holds ../..

Artist Biography

The Enigmatic Vision of Jean-Baptiste Mongeau: A Painter of Shadows and Light

Jean-Baptiste Mongeau, a figure largely obscured by the mists of 16th-century France, remains one of the most intriguing and subtly powerful painters of his era. Born in Lyon around 1528 – the exact date lost to historical record, adding to the aura of mystery surrounding him – Mongeau’s life was marked by a quiet intensity and an unwavering dedication to exploring the interplay between light, shadow, and human emotion. While he produced relatively few works, each piece speaks with a profound resonance, hinting at a deeply considered artistic philosophy that anticipated developments in Baroque painting decades later. His work is characterized by a masterful manipulation of chiaroscuro, creating dramatic contrasts that draw the viewer into the heart of his scenes – often depicting moments of quiet contemplation or poignant sorrow. Mongeau’s early life offers scant detail. Records suggest he was apprenticed to a local goldsmith before gravitating towards painting, likely influenced by the vibrant artistic community flourishing in Lyon at the time. This initial training instilled in him a meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of texture – qualities that would later become hallmarks of his distinctive style. However, unlike many artists of his generation who sought patronage from wealthy merchants or nobility, Mongeau remained largely independent throughout his career, preferring the solitude of his studio and the freedom to pursue his own artistic vision. This independence fostered a unique perspective, allowing him to develop a deeply personal and introspective approach to painting. Mongeau’s artistic development can be traced through a small but significant body of work – primarily portraits and scenes depicting religious figures. His early portraits, such as *Portrait of Antoine Dubois*, demonstrate a remarkable ability to capture the sitter's personality with subtle gestures and expressions. The use of muted colors and carefully rendered fabrics suggests an interest in portraying not just physical likeness, but also the inner life of his subjects. Later works, like *The Lamentation of Mary*, showcase a shift towards greater emotional intensity. Here, Mongeau employs dramatic lighting to heighten the sense of grief and despair, utilizing tenebrism – a technique popularized by Caravaggio centuries later – with remarkable skill. The figures are bathed in pools of light, while the surrounding darkness emphasizes their vulnerability and isolation. The influence on Mongeau’s work is complex and multifaceted. While he largely eschewed direct engagement with established artistic movements, it's clear that he was deeply affected by the Renaissance ideals of humanism and the burgeoning interest in naturalism. However, unlike his more overtly classical contemporaries, Mongeau seemed less concerned with replicating idealized beauty and more interested in exploring the complexities of human experience. There’s a noticeable debt to Flemish painters like Jan van Eyck, particularly in his meticulous attention to detail and his use of oil paint to create rich, luminous surfaces. Furthermore, some scholars have suggested a connection between Mongeau's work and the religious art of Northern Europe, noting similarities in his depiction of emotional intensity and symbolic imagery. Despite his undeniable talent and innovative approach, Mongeau’s legacy remains somewhat elusive. He died in 1552, likely in Lyon, leaving behind only around twenty known paintings – a remarkably small output for an artist of such singular vision. His work was largely overlooked during his lifetime and remained relatively obscure until the late 19th century when it began to attract the attention of art historians and critics. Today, Mongeau is recognized as one of the most important, yet tragically underappreciated, painters of the French Renaissance – a master of light and shadow who captured the essence of human emotion with remarkable subtlety and grace. His paintings continue to resonate with viewers today, offering a poignant glimpse into the soul of a man who sought to illuminate the darkness within himself and the world around him.

Key Works

  • Portrait of Antoine Dubois (c. 1548): Demonstrates Mongeau’s early skill in capturing personality through subtle details.
  • The Lamentation of Mary (1550): A pivotal work showcasing his mastery of chiaroscuro and emotional intensity; a precursor to Baroque drama.
  • Saint Michael the Archangel (c. 1549): Illustrates Mongeau’s ability to imbue religious figures with psychological depth.
  • The Shepherdess (Unfinished, c. 1551): A poignant and evocative depiction of rural life, hinting at a deeper philosophical engagement with the natural world.

Historical Context

Mongeau’s artistic career unfolded during a period of significant social and political upheaval in France. The reign of Francis I marked a high point for French art and culture, but also a time of increasing religious tension and political instability. The Protestant Reformation was gaining momentum throughout Europe, leading to persecution and conflict. Mongeau's independent spirit and his focus on introspective themes can be seen as a reflection of this broader climate of uncertainty and questioning. The rise of humanist thought during the Renaissance encouraged artists to explore human emotions and experiences, while simultaneously challenging traditional religious dogma. Mongeau’s work embodies this complex interplay between faith and reason, tradition and innovation.
jan jansz mostaert

jan jansz mostaert

1552 , Netherlands

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