Bramante's Architecture in Jan Gossart's Painting

Abstract

In 1509, Jan Gossart, a Flemish painter active in the early sixteenth century, sojourned in Rome with his major patron, the Admiral Philip of Burgundy, a great humanist who took the artist with him in Italy to make graphic reproductions of ancient monuments. Although busy copying ruins for his patron, the painter is also receptive to the architecture of his contemporaries, and particularly to the buildings of Donato Bramante, who works actively for Pope Julius II, rebuilding the St Peter's Basilica. By studying various architectural elements present in his famous painting Danae, and in his others works, this article evaluates Gossart's real knowledge and comprehension of Bramante's architectural language. I wish to determine the why Jan Gossart, contrary to his major patron who was only fascinated by the monuments of Ancient Rome, was so impressed by the Renaissance architectural style introduced by the Italian architect. This research is an interesting illustration of the exchange and adaptation of ideas between Italy and the Netherlands in the early sixteenth century.