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attributed to

Bellegambe, Jean (b.c 1470, d.c 1534)

previously attributed to Hans Memling (Dutch, b.1430-1440, d.1494)

Date

c 1490

dated stylistically (see inscription)

Place of production

Douai, France

Medium

oil on panel

Type of object

paintings

Accession number

8073

Small oil painting on panel of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child with Saint Peter Celestine. The Virgin is shown half length, body facing front with her head inclined to the left and her gaze down. She wears a simple red dress with a V-neck over a dark undergarment; a red cloak and a white gauze veil over her loose hair. She has a single ring halo. She supports the naked Christ Child sitting on a white cloth on a wall before her. His body faces diagonally right and his head turns to the left in three-quarter profile. He reaches out his right hand to touch a violet held by Saint Peter. He holds an apple in his left hand. Saint Peter appears on the left looking at the Christ Child in three-quarter profile. He wears a black habit, his hair is tonsured and he has a simple halo. He holds an elaborate gold cross before his face in his left hand. He holds the violet loosely in his right hand. There is a small bishops' mitre on the wall before him. Behind, there is a simple landscape background and sky with a church to the right.

Noted for its elegance and colouring, this small devotional piece is thought to be by the South Netherlandish painter and designer, Jean Bellegambe. It is characteristic of work produced around Douai where Bellegambe was based. The Papal tiara identifying Saint Peter Celestine appears to be a later addition, it is more clumsily painted than the rest of the composition.

Commentary

Saint Peter was a Benedictine monk who founded a Congregation called the Hermits of Saint Damian, which was approved by Pope Urban IV in 1264. Peter was elected Pope in 1294 and took the name of Celestine V, but renounced the tiara four months later and died in 1296. He was canonized in 1313 and the Order became known as the Celestine Order. There were more than 21 Priories of the Order in France, and were sited as far north as Heverlee Priory near Leuven in modern-day Belgium, 100 miles north-east of Douai. The Benedictine habit, crozier, and discarded Papal tiara on the ledge all identify the saint as Peter Celestine.

Heverlee Priory was built following the death of Guillaume de Croÿ, seigneur de Chièvres and marquis d'Aarschot in 1521. His wishes were carried out by his widow Marie-Madeleine de Hamal. It was built near the castle at Heverlee, in white stone, from 1521-1526. It included a church and a cloister. There is a white church in the background of this small panel, but the dates do not exactly match to indicate a firm connection.

Bellegambe was possibly apprenticed in Bruges, Brussels or Antwerp. His father was a successful cabinetmaker and musician in Douai. By 1504, Jean had become a master painter and married. His work is noted for its clear, soft colours and use of landscape. His style suited the fidelity to dogma, tradition and rules of the Church that pervaded the great abbeys nearby. He painted many altarpieces for churches in Douai and for nearby Cistercian and Benedictine abbeys as well as designing costumes and embroideries. He often included patron saints in the scene in innovative ways. The owner of this small panel probably prayed to Saint Peter Celestine as his patron saint. In a gesture of intercession on behalf of the viewer, the Saint hands the Christ Child a violet, a symbol of humility. The Christ Child holds an apple, a symbol of his future role as Redeemer of mankind.

Phillippa Plock, 2012

Physical description

Dimensions (mm) / weight (mg)

203 x 152

Signature & date

not signed or dated

Labels

Opinion of Dr Max Friedlander.

This small picture of the Madonna in
composition and style approaches Memling
From the elegant character and golden
colouring I believe it to be by a master
who worked in the Netherlands on the
French border. Perhaps it is an early
work of Jehan Bellgambe, of about the
period 1490, who resided in Douai.

Bryan states that Bellegambe is
mentioned by Vasari in a list of important
Netherlandish painters.
Printed label
on verso

History

Provenance

Acquired possibly as 'small early Flemish picture on panel, Virgin and Child with St Louis of Toulouse' from Durlacher Brothers for £500, receipt dated 31 May 1904, by Alice de Rothschild (b.1847, d.1922); inherited by her great-nephew James de Rothschild (b.1878, d.1957); accepted by The Treasury Solicitor in lieu of taxes on the Estate of Mr James de Rothschild in 1963; given to Waddesdon (National Trust) in 1990.

Collection

Waddesdon (National Trust)
Accepted by HM Government in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the National Trust for display at Waddesdon Manor, 1990

Bibliography

Ellis Waterhouse, Anthony Blunt; Paintings: The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor; Fribourg; Office du Livre, The National Trust; 1967; p. 190, cat. no. 81

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