BLONDEEL, Lanceloot - b. 1498 Poperinghe, d. 1561 Brugge

Flemish artist who entered the Guild of Painters in Bruges in 1519, and also worked as an architect and designed sculpture, tapestries, and pageant decorations. In 1550 he and Jan van Scorel were commissioned to restore the van Eycks’ celebrated Ghent Altarpiece. The triptych of The martyrdom of SS. Cosmas and Damian (S. Jacques, Bruges) is typical of his work as a painter in its profusion of Italian ornament. By the 16th century Bruges had declined greatly in importance as a trading centre as its port silted up, and Blondeel represents one of the last sparks of its great artistic tradition.

St Luke Painting the Virgin's Portrait

Although the Mannerists of the first quarter of the sixteenth century were interested in unusual settings and ornamental elements, they never systematically incorporated fantastic architectural settings in their paintings, as did Lanceloot Blondeel. The fact that Blondeel did so highlights his knowledge of architecture and ornamental draughtsmanship. This is especially evident in Saint Luke painting the Virgin’s portrait, part of an altarpiece that he designed in 1545 for the chapel of the Bruges painters’ guild.