Title

Blessing Christ with Mary and John the Baptist

Copy of

Gossaert, Jan [attributed to] (Maubeuge, 1478 - Middelburg, 1532)

Typology

School

Century

Dimensions

Technique

Support

Observations

This work is an anonymous 16th-century replica, inspired by the original attributed to Jan Gossart that was part of the collections of Philip II. It is now housed in the Prado Museum (inv. 1510). It represents a free interpretation of the scene of Christ between the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist, inspired by the figures from the Polyptych of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, displayed in St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent.

In this composition, Christ is depicted as Salvator Mundi, with a blessing posture, surrounded by the Virgin and Saint John the Baptist. The three figures are arranged in a frontal position, with the Christ and Saint John figures turned toward the Virgin. The characters are painted in half-length and are integrated within a gilded flame-like archway, adding an elegant dimension to the work. In the upper oval, a singing angel is also depicted, with its arm slightly extending beyond the edge of the composition.

The study of this work suggests that it is probably no less impressive than the original version housed in the Prado, with the replica being more dynamic but still with a vigorous execution. The busts of Christ, the Virgin, and Saint John the Baptist, while freely interpreted, are inspired by the models of the Van Eyck brothers, offering a version full of character and depth of the religious scene.

The panel is currently on display in the Flemish Paintings Room at the Monastery of las Descalzas Reales in Madrid (November 2024).

Related links

Bibliography

• (2019): La otra Corte : mujeres de la Casa de Austria en los Monasterios Reales de las Descalzas y la Encarnación, Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, p. 20.
• A. García Sanz and M.L. Sánchez Hernández (2009): Guide: Royal convents of Madrid: las Descalzas reales and la Encarnación, Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, p. 41.
• A. Mensger (2002): Jan Gossaert: Die niederländische Kunst zu Beginn der Neuzeit, Reimer, Berlin, pp. 34-39.
• S. Herzog (1968): Jan Gossart called Mabuse (ca. 1478-1532): a study of his chronology with a catalogue of his works, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, pp. 232-233, il. cat. 11.
• H. Pauwels, H.R. Hoetink and S. Herzog (1965): Jean Gossaert dit Mabuse, Wissing, Amsterdam, pp. 82-84.

Locations

• Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, Madrid (Spain) (Inventory number: 00612355)