Isabella of Portugal (1397-1471), Duchess of Burgundy and generous patron of the arts. Close detail of fresco, dated 1448, in the Sint-Hubertuskapel (Chapel of Saint Hubert) within the Groot Vleeshuis (Old Meat Hall), the central butchers’ market and guildhall, in Groentenmarkt, Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium.
Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium: Isabella of Portugal, Duchess of Burgundy (1397-1471) kneels in prayer facing her husband, Philip the Good, in this detail of the 1448 Nativity fresco on the southwest wall of the Sint-Hubertuskapel (Chapel of Saint Hubert) within the gabled Groot Vleeshuis (Old Meat Hall), the central butchers’ market and guildhall in Groentenmarkt, beside the River Leie. The picturesque Old Meat Hall, designed by city architect Gillis de Suttere, was built from 1407 to 1419. St. Hubert’s Chapel, consecrated in 1449, occupies a 1445 southwest extension. The fresco lay hidden for centuries before its discovery during restoration work in 1855. It was commissioned by wealthy butcher Jacob de Ketelboetere, who held positions in the butchers’ guild. Although the work is clearly dated 1448, its original attribution to painter Nabur Martins (1404-1454) has been abandoned due to the unreliability of its source. The full artwork depicts Mary, Joseph and angels arranged around the newborn Jesus. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1396-1497) and his son and successor, Charles the Bold (1433-1477) kneel in the left foreground, while Isabella, the Duke’s third wife, kneels on the right with Adolph, Duke of Cleves. Isabella, born in Evora, Portugal, was the only surviving daughter of King John I of Portugal and his English queen, Philippa of Lancaster. Isabella married Philip the Good in 1429 and twice served as regent of the Burgundian Low Countries during his absences in 1439 and 1441. She represented Philip in trade negotiations with England in 1439 and with rebellious Dutch cities in 1444. She was proficient in Latin, French, English and Italian, was keenly interested in politics and was a generous patron of the arts.
Size: 3872px × 2592px
Location: Chapel of St Hubert, Old Meat Hall, Groentenmarkt, Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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