‎Oskar Jacek Rojewski‎
‎Painter to the Queen, Michel Sittow, Courtier to Isabella of Castile and the Habsburg Dynasty‎

‎, Brepols - Harvey Miller, 2025 Hardback, Pages: 278 p. Size:178 x 254 mm, Illustrations:33 b/w, 96 col., 3 tables b/w. Language English. NEW. ISBN 9782503611785.‎

Reference : 68515

‎Summary Michel Sittow was born in Reval c. 1469, today the Estonian capital city of Tallinn. Possibly trained in the workshop of Hans Memling in Bruges, he subsequently moved to work in the Iberian Peninsula, where he first held the position of court painter. This monograph undertakes research on this phase of his career. In the Kingdom of Castille, Michel Sittow was appointed painter to Queen Isabella and became a member of her household with an impressive annual salary. Thanks to the analysis of archival documents and formal and iconographical studies on Sittow?s paintings, it is possible to explain the court painter?s life circumstances and describe the benefits he enjoyed and the difficulties he faced. The Castilian period was crucial for Michel Sittow?s career since over the course of his professional life, he also resided at the courts of Philip the Fair, Margaret of Austria, Christian II of Denmark and Charles V, all relatives of his first royal patron. While serving European monarchs, he transferred Memling?s techniques and visual language beyond the Low Countries and developed his artistic practice and style. The analysis of the various contexts Michel Sittow worked in sheds light on his oeuvre and his possible privileged status as a courtier, which provided opportunities to establish a flourishing and ambitious career in northern and southern Europe. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Illustrations Foreword by Miguel ngel Zalama Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1. Historiographical perspectives on Sittow?s Iberian period Master Michiel + Miguel Alem n = Michel Sittow The Polyptych of Isabella the Catholic Primary Sources on Michel Sittow in Castile Conclusion Chapter 2. Michel Sittow?s training in the workshop of Hans Memling and his departure for the Castilian court The Iberian clients of Memling?s Workshop Hans Memling?s influence upon Michel Sittow The need for a court painter in the Iberian kingdoms Ambassador Francisco de Rojas and Memling?s workshop Conclusion Chapter 3. Tracing Michel Sittow in archival documents from the Castilian court Agreed court salaries as set out in n minas (ordinances) The Libro de asientos (Book of entries) The Libros de cuentas (Ledgers) kept by Gonzalo de Baeza and Fernand Ram rez de Madrid Account books for extraordinary expenses Abecedarios de las deudas (alphabetical registers of debts) Conclusion Chapter 4. The painter?s sojourn in Zaragoza (1498) Sittow, a ?lodger at an inn? and his social network Works possibly made for the Royal Monastery of Santa Engracia Sittow?s possible influence in the Kingdom of Aragon Conclusion Chapter 5. The painter?s oeuvre in Castile Documented and hypothetical portraits made in Castile Devotional panels for Isabella of Castile and Margaret of Austria The Santiago Altarpiece: Sittow and the workshop of Maestro de los Luna Michel Sittow as copyist Possible collaborations with Juan de Flandes Conclusion Chapter 6. Painter to the House of Habsburg Archduke Philip?s journeys to the Iberian Peninsula (1501-1503 and 1506) A portraitist in the service of the imperial family Return to Castile in 1515 and the Arg ello brothers Resident in Mechelen? Conclusion Postscript Appendices with transcriptions of sources Bibliography Index of Names‎