BEYOND THE NETHERLANDS
Famous for their technical virtuosity and striking verisimilitude, Netherlandish paintings were sought after all over Europe in the 15th century. Some were commissioned by foreign clients, while others were made for export and the open market. Small-scale devotional images of Christ and the Virgin proved especially popular, such as Dirk Bouts' Mater Dolorosa and Christ Crowned with Thorns. His workshop produced numerous versions of these paintings, which could be easily transported due to their small size.
Painters trained in the Netherlandish use of oil paint found success in other parts of Europe. In Spain, Bartolomé Bermejo's mastery of the technique was second to none. His Saint Michael triumphant over the devil exemplifies his ability to capture dazzling light, vivid colours, and a range of textures and materials. Juan de Flandes, a Netherlandish artist, was painter to Queen Isabella of Spain, who also commissioned work from Michel Sittow, a native of Tallinn in Estonia working in the Netherlandish tradition.
