Poets 16th century
Cornelius Gerardi Aurelius, also called Goudanus, was a Dutch humanist scholar, writer, and historian.
Aurelius was a permanent canon (monk) of the Augustinian monastic order and is one of the first humanists of the Netherlands in the 16th century. He wrote poetry, historiography, hagiography, political and theological works. Aurelius also corresponded with many of the famous men of his day, especially Erasmus.
Francesco Xanto Avelli was an Italian ceramicist. He is best known for his painted maiolica works.
Xanto's signed works all date from between 1530 and 1542. Each bears his name and the date of the piece; many also were given ambitious tags explaining their meanings. The surviving pieces appear to be similar in nature, with the exception of the signatures, to most other maiolica ware produced in Urbino at the time. Xanto signed his works with a number of different variants of his own name; besides those with his full name, pieces signed fra Xanto in his hand are known to exist.
Besides being a ceramicist, Xanto was also a poet; in the 1530s he wrote a sequence of sonnets in praise of Francesco Maria I della Rovere, then duke of Urbino. An elegant fair copy survives in the Vatican Library.
Pieter Balten or Pieter Custodis was a Flemish Renaissance painter, etcher, draftsman, publisher, and poet. He was a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp.
Pieter Balten is considered one of the pioneers of realistic depictions of village life, often comic. He also painted religious compositions, landscapes and painted tronies - portraits with comic and even caricatured facial images.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known simply as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet who played a significant role in the High Renaissance period. Born on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy, Michelangelo's works are a testament to his mastery in various artistic realms, defining him as a quintessential Renaissance man.
Michelangelo's fame began early in his career, most notably with his sculptures "Pietà" (1499) and "David" (1501), both completed before he turned thirty. Despite his self-perception primarily as a sculptor, Michelangelo made an indelible mark in painting, particularly with the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. These works include the scenes from Genesis on the chapel's ceiling and "The Last Judgment" on its altar wall, showcasing his innovative use of physical realism and psychological tension.
Among his most famous works, the "David" statue, now housed in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, and the "Pietà," located in St. Peter's Basilica, stand out for their intricate detail and emotional depth. Michelangelo's ability to imbue life into marble and his thoughtful consideration of light and shadow in painting were revolutionary. His techniques in fresco painting, such as the buon fresco method used in the Sistine Chapel, where he painted on wet plaster, were groundbreaking for their time.
Despite his temperamental nature, Michelangelo was deeply religious and dedicated to his art, often eschewing the use of assistants. His works were not only recognized and admired in Italy but also attracted attention from abroad, including the Ottoman Empire. Michelangelo's influence extended beyond his lifetime, significantly impacting the development of Mannerism and the Baroque style.
For art collectors and experts, Michelangelo's works remain a pinnacle of artistic achievement. His ability to blend realism with expressive physicality in both sculpture and painting set new standards in art. His works in major museums and galleries worldwide continue to inspire and awe viewers, reflecting the enduring legacy of his genius.
For those interested in the world of art and antiques, staying informed about Michelangelo's works and their influence on modern art is essential. To receive updates on new product sales and auction events related to Michelangelo, sign up for our newsletter. This subscription is an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts and experts alike to stay connected with the ongoing legacy of one of history's greatest artists.
Pedro de Oña, full name Pedro de Oña y Villegas de Acurcio, was the first known poet born in Chile.
Pedro was the son of a military captain, Gregorio de Oña, who died during the Spanish conquest of Chile. After studying at the University of San Marcos in Lima, he joined the army and participated in several battles against rebellious Indians. De Oña is known to have spent many years in Peru.
Pedro de Oña's best-known literary work is Primera parte de Arauco domado (The First Part of the Conquest of Araucana, 1596), a verse epic in rhymed couplets depicting the deeds of the Marquis Hurtado de Mendoza, viceroy of Peru from 1556 to 1560. The realistic descriptions of violence and sensationalized accounts of Mapuche customs offended many, including the Bishop of Lima, and the book was banned. Today, however, it is valued as an eyewitness account of historical events.
Niklaus Manuel Deutsch was a Swiss painter, graphic artist, poet and political reformer.
Niklaus Manuel Deutsch's artistic style is influenced by the Renaissance and Albrecht Dürer. Along with Holbein, he is considered the most important representative of the Renaissance in Switzerland. He created designs for jewellers, altarpieces, portraits and other paintings. His richly coloured canvases depict mainly mythological and biblical scenes.
John Donne was a British preacher and poet, a major exponent of English Baroque literature.
His father was a wealthy merchant, and he was educated at Oxford, Cambridge, and Lincoln's Inn. Then began to write satires, which were willingly passed from hand to hand. The first three of Donne's famous satires date from 1593, and the others were written at various times before 1601. In 1594 he began his travels in Europe, accompanied the Earl of Essex on the capture of Cadiz in 1596 and on the expedition of 1597, and was in Italy and Spain.
In 1601. John Donne wrote his remarkable poem "The Progress of the Soul", in 1610 published his prose work against Catholics "Pseudo-Martyr", and in 1611. - an even harsher polemical treatise, Ignatius in Conclave. John Donne was also the author of many sonnets, love poems, elegies, epigrams, and religious sermons.
In 1621 John Donne was appointed rector of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and near the end of his life he became a popular eloquent preacher whose sermons were eagerly printed and published. 160 of his sermons have survived, including the most famous, Death's Duel, which he delivered in Whitehall before King Charles I on February 25, 1631, a few weeks before his own death.
Ben Jonson or Benjamin Jonson was an English poet, playwright, actor and dramatic theorist.
Jonson came from a simple family, served in the army, seriously engaged in self-education, and in 1586 began a career in the theater. In the 1590s he had the good fortune to meet William Shakespeare. In 1598 Shakespeare was able to put in the theater "Globe" Jonson's play "Every man for his own good," where he played one of the roles. The two playwrights became friends and collaborated on productions of the plays. Jonson was one of the most erudite playwrights of his time and was sure to apply his deep knowledge of Greek and Roman classics in his work.
Jonson's daring character failed him more than once: he often got into fights and duels, and later began to prefer direct violence mockery of his opponents in his plays. But even in this case, he not once got into serious trouble and even sat in prison.
In 1605 Jonson with great success put in the "Globe" play "Volpone". A great admirer of Johnson's work was King James, and the next ten years were the most colorful in his career. His plays written between 1605 and 1615 - Epicoen, The Alchemist, Catalina, Bartholomew Fair and The Devil is an Ass - were a great success, rivaling Shakespeare himself.
Ben Jonson is a vivid representative of English literature of its Renaissance period. His best works ridicule human weaknesses with the help of comic realism, verbal brilliance and a remarkable gift for caricature and parody.
Nostradamus (French: Michel de Nostredame) was a French physician-pharmacist, writer, poet, astrologer and alchemist.
Nostradamus was born into a family of baptized Jews and studied various sciences in Avignon. At that time the plague was rampant in Europe, and Nostradamus decided to become a healer, in 1526 he even invented an anti-plague medicine, and later received a degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began his medical practice around the 1530s in Agen. During the plague outbreaks in Aix and Lyon in 1546-1547, he gained fame for his innovative treatments. Nostradamus described his methods of dealing with epidemics in several medical works. In addition to medicine, he also practiced astrology.
Nostradamus gained worldwide fame thanks to his gift as a seer. He began making prophecies around 1547 and first published them in 1555 in a book called Centuries. The book was written in rhymed quatrains - catrines - with predictions of future events in European history. Some of his prophecies were close to the truth, and the fame of the visionary Nostradamus reached the court of Catherine de Medici, who ordered him to compile horoscopes of her children. In 1564 he was appointed physician to Charles IX, to whom he also made several predictions that came true.
Nostradamus's book of prophecies was a huge success, and it still arouses interest, but he wrote allegorically and many of the katrines cannot be interpreted unambiguously.
Francisco Pacheco del Río, baptized on November 3, 1564, and passing away on November 27, 1644, was a distinguished Spanish painter. Renowned for his dual role as Diego Velázquez's teacher and father-in-law, Pacheco's influence extends beyond his familial ties, contributing significantly to the arts through his seminal textbook, "Art of Painting." This work remains a crucial resource for understanding 17th-century artistic practices in Spain. Often referred to as the "Vasari of Seville," Pacheco's insights into painting theories and reflections on his contemporaries have left an indelible mark on the history of art, despite criticisms of his conventional execution in painting.
Pacheco's early life was marked by an immersive education in art, learning from Luis Fernandez and drawing inspiration from Italian masters. His journey included a pivotal sojourn to Madrid and Toledo in 1611 to study the works of El Greco, which further enriched his artistic repertoire. Upon his return to Seville, Pacheco opened an art school, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to art education and theory.
His career was notably characterized by his position as the official censor for Seville's Inquisition, which influenced his academic approach to religious subjects. Despite this, his paintings, such as the Last Judgment and Martyrs of Granada, are celebrated for their monumental scale. Pacheco's most enduring legacy, however, may be his influence on Diego Velázquez, whom he mentored for six years. Velázquez's marriage to Pacheco's daughter Juana in 1618 further solidified their personal and professional bonds. Pacheco's "Arte de la pintura" not only provided invaluable biographical information on Spanish painters of his era but also laid down foundational theories on iconography, materials, and technique.
For those interested in exploring Francisco Pacheco del Río's works further, notable pieces can be found in prestigious collections, such as the Museo Nacional del Prado, enriching our understanding of his impact on the art world.
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William Shakespeare was a British poet and playwright and writer.
William's father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant and official in Stratford. There are reports that he was a sailor for a time before joining a theater company in London. Beginning in the 1590s, Shakespeare began writing plays, and in 1593 he published a poem, Venus and Adonis, which became popular. He dedicated it to the Duke of Southampton, who was a philanthropist and patron of talent, and soon his business was booming.
From 1592 to 1600 Shakespeare wrote his dramas and romantic comedies "Richard III", "The Taming of the Shrew", "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Merchant of Venice", as well as the comedies "Much Ado About Nothing", "Twelfth Night" and the tragedy "Julius Caesar". The playwright's business was so successful that he even bought a large house in Stratford. In 1599, Shakespeare became one of the owners, playwright and actor of the new theater "Globe". In 1603 King James took Shakespeare's troupe under his direct patronage. In the mature period, the great playwright turned to tragedies, there were "Hamlet", "Othello", "King Lear", "Macbeth" and others.
Although in the 19th century researchers had some doubts about the authorship of many of these works, William Shakespeare is considered the greatest English playwright, one of the best playwrights in the world. His plays have been translated into all major languages and to this day form the basis of the world theatrical repertoire, most of them have been screened many times. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Shakespeare remains the world's best-selling playwright, and his plays and poems have sold more than 4 billion copies in the nearly 400 years since his death.
John Skelton was an English poet and writer of the Tudor period.
He was educated at the University of Cambridge, followed by degrees in rhetoric at Oxford, in the Netherlands, and at Cambridge. He was also a translator of ancient Greek and Roman authors. In 1488 Skelton was appointed court poet to Henry VII and then tutor to the Duke of York (later Henry VIII). In 1498 he took holy orders.
Skelton was known as a poet and satirist on both political and religious subjects. His best-known works include the moralizing play Magnyficence (1516), the humorous poem The Tunning of Elinor Rumming (1520), and numerous satirical poems in which he ridiculed both secular and ecclesiastical authorities. His reputation was confirmed by Erasmus of Rotterdam himself, who spoke highly flatteringly of Skelton.
Edmund Spenser was an English poet of the Queen Elizabethan era.
Spenser studied Latin and Greek, as well as literature and religion, at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge University. In 1579 he published his first poetry collection, Shepherd's Calends. He is also the author of a major English epic, The Fairy Queen (1596), a fantastic allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I, and the sonnet cycle Amoretti and Epithalamion (1595).
Alongside his poetry, Spenser pursued a political career, serving as secretary first to the Bishop of Rochester and then to the Earl of Leicester, who introduced him to other poets and artists at Queen Elizabeth's court. In 1580 he was appointed secretary to the Lord Viceroy of Ireland, and later wrote a pamphlet, A View of the Present State of Ireland.
In 1598, during the Nine Years' War, Spenser was banished from his home in Ireland, died in London in 1599, and was buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Edmund Spenser's poems were characterized by outstanding craftsmanship and lyrical beauty, a style later called the Spenserian stanza. Today his work is widely studied as one of the main representatives of the English literary Renaissance.
Lambert Zutman, also known under the name Lambertus Suavius, was a multifaceted artist from the Southern Netherlands. He is recognized not only for his work as a fine art painter but also for his skills as an architect, copperplate engraver, and draughtsman. His diverse career took him across Europe, with significant periods in Rome and Frankfurt am Main, where he developed his craft under the influence of Lambert Lombard.
Lambert Zutman is known for his contributions to the arts across multiple mediums, including his engravings and architectural designs. His works, such as the series depicting Christ and the Twelve Apostles, showcase his mastery in engraving and his capacity to imbue religious figures with a vivid sense of presence and individuality. Some of his notable engravings are part of collections in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, highlighting his enduring relevance in the art world.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Zutman's works represent a significant part of the Renaissance art movement in the Low Countries. His contributions to cosmography and his diverse artistic output, spanning architectural sketches to detailed engravings, reflect the rich cultural and historical tapestry of his time.
For those interested in exploring more about Lambert Zutman's life and works, subscribing to updates on exhibitions and sales can provide valuable insights and opportunities to view or acquire his works. This subscription ensures that enthusiasts and collectors stay informed about key events and offerings related to Zutman's artistic legacy.