Leonaert Bramer's illustratations for Spanish novels on view at Pinakothek der Moderne

The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Thursday, March 28, 2024


Leonaert Bramer's illustratations for Spanish novels on view at Pinakothek der Moderne
Leonaert Bramer, Lazarillo’s wife and the archpriest are caught red-handed in the middle of the night Illustration 51 from the picaresque novel “Lazarillo de Tormes”, 1646 Black-grey brush, grey wash, highlighted in white, on grey paper; 148 x 111 mm. © Staatliche Graphische Sammlung München.



MUNICH.- Leonaert Bramer (1596–1674) from the Netherlands was one of the most prolific artists of the Dutch ‘Golden Age’. The specialism he carved out for himself was unusual and unrivalled: he produced hand-drawings that illustrated single copies of contemporary literary works and historical texts. The Staatliche Graphische Sammlung, Munich , is home to two extensive sets of illustrations for Spanish novels which are now on display for the first time.

Leonaert Bramer’s series of hand-drawn illustrations
As a draughtsman, Bramer was among the most productive artists in Holland in the Golden Age. Around 1300 sheets are attributed to him today. The high number can be explained by the fact that his highly specialised work had no competitors, and nothing similar was produced at the time: his series of illustrations on mostly literary subjects were sold as one-off originals to connoisseurs and aficionados of draughtsmanship. Bramer completed a series of illustrations to accompany the Old and New Testaments, Ovid’s Metamorphosis and other ancient writings. He repeatedly also worked on lesser-known material largely neglected by other artists.

Lazarillo de Tormes
In 1646, he created 72 drawings for Lazarillo de Tormes, the first pícaro or picaresque novel ever written. These drawings are now on display in the exhibition. The book was first published in Spain in 1554, and was rapidly translated into different languages and distributed across Europe . The main character is the narrator Lazarillo, who struggles to get by in the milieu of beggars and rogues. In a series of loosely connected episodes, the drawings illustrate the real hardships suffered by the poor at the time. It begins with the merciless training of the protagonist, while still only a child, as a guide for the blind. Lazarillo only manages to survive by using his wits and resorting to petty crime. Lazarillo is still considered in Spain today to be the most important book of folk tales of all times; its unabated popularity is comparable to the significance of Grimms’ Fairy Tales on the German soul. The extremely anti-clerical novel was banned immediately, which hindered the publication of illustrated versions for a long time.

Francisco Gomez de Quevedo – Los Sueños
Quevedo’s Los Sueños (Dreams), published in 1627, is regarded as one of Spain ’s first great literary novels. Francisco Gomez de Quevedo (1580–1645) came from a family that belonged to the Spanish gentry. Alongside his political career, he created a literary work punctuated by gloomy pessimism and harshly critical of Spanish society. His Sueños consists of cynical prose that aims to uncover ‘abuses, vices and deceptions in all the professions and stations of the world.’ In a series of dream sequences, the narrator lands in the ‘madhouse of lovers’ where he meets famous personalities from the past in various burlesque scenes. Bramer was the first to illustrate the work. The 60 drawings presented in the exhibition were made in 1659.

Hand-drawn originals
Bramer was an attentive reader who carefully and with obvious pleasure selected the most important passages to maintain the flow of narrative.

Today’s viewers may see the humorous interjections in the recurring comic scenes as slapstick. In the large series, the drawings follow on from one another in rapid succession. As a result, Bramer’s approach has often been described as ‘cinematographic’, something which was first attributed to him as early as 1920. No contemporary illustrations from that time can compare with his work. After one thorough reading of the novel, the scenes would have been familiar to its readers, who could then appreciate the book of illustrations in its own right.

The decision to make an entire series of drawings and not reproduce them in print was peculiar. It opened up certain possibilities for a private audience, which would most definitely not have been acceptable for the general public. The artist plays with traditional motifs, provocations, and erotica which are interspersed throughout the work along with several blasphemous allusions. In a strict, Calvinistic society, it would have been inconceivable to create this work for general publication and distribution. Bramer had a circle of clients who gave him carte blanche, and also expected to be delivered with something special in return.

Leonaert Bramer was born on New Year’s Eve in 1596 in Delft , where he died in 1674 at the age of 78. Bramer set off on a grand tour in 1615 which took him to Italy . He lived there, mostly in Rome , until 1628. In this environment, he was particularly influenced by Adam Elsheimer (1578–1610) and the paintings of the Caravaggisti. Back in his hometown of Delft , Bramer was able to establish himself as a reputable painter. Approximately 350 paintings have survived to this day.










Today's News

January 2, 2014

Four skulls, part of an altar made of human bones, found in Mexico City subway dig

Leonaert Bramer's illustratations for Spanish novels on view at Pinakothek der Moderne

Research reveals three rare 2,000 year old fabrics that were dyed with an extract from the Murex snail

Kunstmuseum Basel presents an extensive survey of Jakob Christoph Miville's oeuvre

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Ancient bones offer peek at history of cats in China

Adolf-Luther-Stiftung places major works on permanent loan to Städel Museum

Exhibition at Koningin Fabiolazaal highlights art from the 19th and 20th centuries

Filipino American Museum launches its third Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fundraiser

Beyond Tomorrow: Dusseldorf to become art mecca for four months starting April 2014

Thomas P. Campbell, James B. Cuno, and Malcolm Rogers to participate in panel discussions in Boston

We can't go Home Alone: Didier Faustino's second solo show with Michel Rein on view in Paris

Throckmorton Fine Art to present exhibition of Pre-Columbian artifacts at the 60th Annual Winter Antiques Show

'Moving Images': A new partnership exploring the intersection between art and film in the Arab world

Private Museum owners from around the world gather in London for summit

Poetics of Materiality: Four artists exhibit at osage Hong Kong

Edward Chell - Soft Estate: An exhibition and publication launched at The Bluecoat, Liverpool

Contemporary artist adds colour to MLC Centre

Launching of Singapore Art Fair 2014: The ME.NA.SA region honored at the heart of Asia

Brooklynite Gallery launches "Snub-nose Owner's Workshop Manual"




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful