_Mabuse_ (Flemish: about 1470-1541).
Jan Gossart, called Mabuse from the town in Hainault (now in
France) where he was born, is interesting in the history of
art as the man who began the emigration of Flemish painters to
Italy. He set out in 1508 in the suite of Philip of Burgundy,
and remained about ten years in Italy where he copied the works
of Leonardo and Michael Angelo. He was one of the illuminators
of the famous Grimani Breviary in the Library at Venice. The
finest example of the first, or Flemish period of Mabuse is
the "Adoration of the Magi" at Castle Howard. To his second
period, in which Italian influence is discernible, belongs
the altar-piece in the Cathedral of Prague. There is a good
portrait group by him at Hampton Court representing the
children of King Christian II. of Denmark. A very fine work,
attributed to Mabuse, has recently been added to the Gallery,
No. 1689.
The sitter here is of the Flemish national type, but the Italian
influence may be seen in the Renaissance architecture of the background.