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.