Juan Fernández de Navarrete (1526 - 1579)

Juan Fernández de Navarrete (1526 - 1579) - photo 1

Juan Fernández de Navarrete

Juan Fernández de Navarrete was a distinguished Spanish Mannerist painter, renowned for his significant contribution to the Renaissance period. Born in 1526 in Logroño, Spain, Navarrete's life was marked by a childhood illness that left him without hearing, earning him the nickname "El Mudo" (The Mute). Despite his challenges, he became a prolific artist, communicating his thoughts and ideas through the powerful medium of painting.

Navarrete's artistic journey began under the tutelage of Fray Vicente de Santo Domingo, a Hieronymite monk in Estella. His talent and skill flourished, leading him to study in major Italian cities like Naples, Rome, Florence, and Milan. During this time, Navarrete was heavily influenced by Venetian art, particularly by the works of Titian, whom he is believed to have studied with.

In 1568, Navarrete's career took a significant turn when he was appointed as the court painter to Philip II of Spain. This role led him to work on the Escorial, a grand monastery-palace still under construction. Here, Navarrete's works were instrumental in bringing Venetian influences to Spanish art. His paintings, characterized by rich, warm coloration and bold designs, were a departure from the traditional Spanish style of the time. Among his most celebrated works at the Escorial are "Nativity," where the light emanates from the infant Saviour, and the "Baptism of Christ," now housed in the Prado Museum.

His art, often depicting religious themes, was marked by a blend of sketchy distances with rich color and realistic foreground effects. Despite the challenges of his disability, Navarrete's works exhibit a remarkable depth of emotion and skill, securing his place as a significant figure in the Spanish Renaissance.

Juan Fernández de Navarrete's legacy continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts, collectors, and experts. His works, a blend of Spanish tradition and Venetian influence, represent a unique chapter in the history of art. For those interested in exploring Navarrete's masterpieces, a visit to the Prado Museum in Madrid is a must.

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Date and place of birt:1526, Logroño, Spain
Date and place of death:28 march 1579, Toledo, Spain
Period of activity: XVI century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Art school / group:Castilian tenebrism
Genre:Religious genre
Art style:Mannerism, Old Masters

Creators Mannerism

Giovanni Battista Brazzè (1584 - 1650)
Giovanni Battista Brazzè
1584 - 1650
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 - 1611)
Bartholomäus Spranger
1546 - 1611
Gerolamo Genga (1476 - 1551)
Gerolamo Genga
1476 - 1551
Jean Raoux (1677 - 1734)
Jean Raoux
1677 - 1734
Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe (1716 - 1754)
Louis Nicolas van Blarenberghe
1716 - 1754
Agostino Tassi (1580 - 1644)
Agostino Tassi
1580 - 1644
Denijs Calvaert (1540 - 1619)
Denijs Calvaert
1540 - 1619
Matthias Stom (1600 - 1650)
Matthias Stom
1600 - 1650
Andrea del Verrocchio (1435 - 1488)
Andrea del Verrocchio
1435 - 1488
Mondino Scarsella (1530 - 1614)
Mondino Scarsella
1530 - 1614
Pieter Cosyn (1630 - 1677)
Pieter Cosyn
1630 - 1677
Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665)
Nicolas Poussin
1594 - 1665
Joseph van Bredael (1688 - 1739)
Joseph van Bredael
1688 - 1739
Charles-Louis Clérisseau (1721 - 1820)
Charles-Louis Clérisseau
1721 - 1820
Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641)
Anthony van Dyck
1599 - 1641
Catharina van Knibbergen (1630 - 1670)
Catharina van Knibbergen
1630 - 1670