prayer
Master of the Rouen Échevinage was a French artist, one of the leading 15th-century Rouen illustrators, named after the magnificent manuscripts he painted for the Bibliothèque des Echevins in Rouen. He was active between the 1450s and 1480s.
Master of the Rouen Échevinage was a French artist, one of the leading 15th-century Rouen illustrators, named after the magnificent manuscripts he painted for the Bibliothèque des Echevins in Rouen. He was active between the 1450s and 1480s.
Master of the Troyes Missal de Troyes was a French book illustrator who worked in Troyes in the mid-15th century.
The artist got his name from the missal (liturgical book) he illustrated, which is now preserved in Paris. The master is considered one of Troyes' most brilliant illustrators circa 1450. Contemporaries described him as "the most prominent figure in Troyes' illuminations of the mid-15th century. Troyes was the main center of book production in Champagne during the second half of the 15th century, when the region's lavish manuscripts made it an alternative to Paris, and the master of Troyes books was the most sought-after artist in that city. The widespread demand among devout laymen for the Book of Hours (the most popular liturgical text of the Middle Ages) brought the Troyes master many commissions.
Elegantly elongated figures with flat faces, richly brocaded tapestries, and checkered green floors are hallmarks of the artist's work.
Master Gijsbrecht van Brederode was a Northern Dutch book illuminator who worked in Utrecht in the 3rd quarter of the 15th century.
The artist got his name from the book of hours, which he illuminated for Gijsbrecht van Brederode, dean of Utrecht Cathedral (died in 1475). It is known that between 1465 and 1470 this master created almost all the miniatures in this manuscript.
Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as Sassoferrato, was an Italian Baroque painter born in 1609 in Sassoferrato, from which he derived his name. He is celebrated for his deeply devotional images, particularly of the Virgin Mary, rendered with an elegance that echoes the works of Renaissance masters like Raphael and Perugino. Salvi's commitment to these older styles, amidst the 17th-century Roman art scene, marked his work as consciously anachronistic, emphasizing traditional religious themes and the serene beauty of his subjects.
Sassoferrato's training under his father and possibly under Domenichino in Rome, as well as influences from Guido Reni and Francesco Albani, equipped him with a unique blend of styles. He concentrated on creating multiple copies of devotional images, catering to the private market's demand during the Counter-Reformation. Despite a few public commissions, his legacy includes works in major collections such as the National Gallery in London and the British Royal Collection. Sassoferrato's art, particularly noted for its immaculate execution and spiritual aura, was highly regarded until the mid-19th century and has seen a revival in interest since the late 20th century.
One of his most revered works, "The Virgin in Prayer," showcases Sassoferrato's mastery in portraying the Virgin Mary with a life-like presence, using minimal but vibrant colors to highlight her contemplative grace. This piece, along with others, reflects the Catholic Church's 16th-century reforms advocating for personal devotion, a theme Sassoferrato adeptly captures through his intimate and contemplative religious scenes.
Despite the breadth of his work, Sassoferrato remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, with his art often overshadowing the details of his life and career. Yet, his paintings continue to be a source of admiration for their serene beauty and spiritual depth, appealing to collectors and art enthusiasts alike.
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