Gillis Mostaert Paintings

Gillis Mostaert was a Flemish Renaissance painter and draughtsman active in Antwerp in the second half of the 16th century. He was born in Hulst, near Antwerp, around 1528. Mostaert is known for a variety of works, including genre scenes, religious compositions, landscapes, and portraits. He was a contemporary of Pieter Bruegel the Elder and is often compared to him due to similarities in style and subject matter.

Mostaert entered the Antwerp painters' guild in 1554 and became a master. He was influenced by the Italian Renaissance, as were many artists of his time, but he also developed a distinctive style that reflected the tastes and concerns of the Flemish merchant class. His genre scenes often depicted the lives of peasants and urban dwellers with a keen eye for detail and a sometimes satirical touch.

Among Mostaert's notable works are 'The Fall of the Rebel Angels,' 'St. Martin Dividing His Cloak,' and 'The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares.' His paintings are characterized by their vibrant colors, meticulous attention to detail, and often complex composition. Despite the influence of Italian masters, Mostaert's work retains a distinctly Northern European feel, particularly in his landscape backgrounds and the treatment of light.

Mostaert's religious works often reflect the tumultuous times in which he lived, including the iconoclasm and religious conflicts of the 16th century. He managed to navigate these challenges and continued to receive commissions from both religious and secular patrons.

Gillis Mostaert died in Antwerp in 1598. While not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he was a respected artist in his time and his works can still be seen in museums and collections across Europe. His legacy includes not only his paintings but also his influence on other artists of the period and the role he played in the development of Flemish Renaissance art.