Nuno Gonçalves
Nuno Gonçalves (fl. 1450-71[1]) was a 15th-century Portuguese, who is believed to have been court painter for Kings Afonso V and John II.[2] He is credited for the painting of the Saint Vincent Panels (Paineis de São Vicente de Fora). The panels depict Portuguese royalty and two saints among with the main elements of Portuguese society in the 15th century: clergy, nobility and commoners.
Nuno Gonçalves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Known for | Renaissance art |
Notable work | Saint Vincent Panels |
| Movement | Portuguese Renaissance |
| Patron(s) | Afonso V of Portugal |
Life
Very little is known of his life, neither his birth or death dates are known; but documents of the time seems to indicate that he was active between 1450 and 1490.
He is depicted, among several other historic figures, on the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Padron of the Discoveries) in Belém, Lisbon.
Saint Vincent Panels
The only reference that art historians can use to support his authorship of the Saint Vincent Panels is by Francisco de Holanda, in the 16th century.[3] It mentions a great work of art made by him that is inferred to be the Panels. It is also speculated that the father of Hugo van der Goes collaborated in the painting of the panel but there is no concrete proof. Since their discovery in late 19th century there has been great dispute over the identity of the painter and the characters shown in the Panels. Even the claim that Prince Henry the Navigator appears in the third panel is still under debate. Nevertheless, the "Saint Vincent Panels" is seen as the highest peak of Portuguese antique art.
List of Works
These paintings are the most usually attributed to the painter:
- Saint Vincent Panels, c. 1470-1480, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
- São Paulo, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
- São Francisco, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
- Saint Vincent Tied to a Column, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
- São Teotónio, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
- São Pedro, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon
See also
References
- Lawrence Gowing, ed., Biographical Encyclopedia of Artists, v.2 (Facts on File, 2005): 269-270.
- "10 obras de referência do MNAA". Archived from the original on 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
- Francisco de Holanda, Da pintura antiga (Lisbon, 1548).
Sources
- Figueiredo, José de, "O Pintor Nuno Gonçalves", Lisbon, J. Figueiredo, 1910, volume 1.
- Pereira, Paulo, "História da Arte Portuguesa", Lisbon, Editorial Estampa / Círculo de Leitores, 1996, volume 1.
