1135 - FOLLOWER OF JOOS VAN CLEVE, (Cleve?, c. 1485–Antwerp, 1540–1541). Second half of the 16th century

FOLLOWER OF JOOS VAN CLEVE, (Cleve?, c. 1485–Antwerp, 1540–1541). Second half of the 16th century "The Virgin and Child, or Virgin of the Milk." Oil on panel The painting follows the successful model created by Joos van Cleve. There is no record of the painter having stayed in Italy, but he may have traveled to the court of King Francis I, where he could have admired the influence of Italian Mannerism and the king’s collections of Renaissance paintings. This, together with the engravings and copies he received of works by Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci—whom he greatly admired—may have led to a shift in his art that combined the beauty and grace of Italian painting with the distinctive characteristics of Flemish painting of his time. The result was a series of works that enjoyed great success in the art market, as evidenced by this painting, of which many versions have been found, although this one is of exceptional quality. Dimensions: 65.5 x 49.5 cm.