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Anthonis Mor
Anthonis Mor Self Portrait 1558.jpg
Self-portrait (1558) at the Uffizi
Born
Anthonis Mor

c. 1517
Utrecht, Bishopric of Utrecht
Died 1577 (aged 60)
Antwerp, Duchy of Brabant
Nationality Dutch
Known for Painting
Movement High Renaissance

Anthonis Mor, also known as Anthonis Mor van Dashorst or Antonio Moro, was a famous painter from the Netherlands. He lived from about 1517 to 1577. He was known for painting amazing portraits, especially for kings, queens, and important people across Europe.

Mor's style of painting influenced many other artists. His work helped create a tradition of court painting that led to famous artists like Diego Velázquez in Spain. Mor's paintings often showed the true personality of the people he painted. He made them look grand and important.

Early Life and Learning to Paint

Anthonis Mor was born in Utrecht, in the Netherlands. This was likely between 1516 and 1520. We don't know much about his early life. However, we do know that he started learning art from a painter named Jan van Scorel. Mor's earliest known painting is a portrait from 1538.

Becoming a Famous Painter

Some of Mor's first paintings might include a group of knights in Utrecht. He also painted two pilgrims in Berlin around 1544. A portrait of an unknown woman in Lille might also be one of his early works.

Working in Antwerp

In 1547, Mor became a member of the Guild of St. Luke in Antwerp. This was a group for artists. Soon after, around 1548, he caught the eye of Cardinal Granvelle. The Cardinal became a very important supporter of Mor's art.

Two famous portraits from this time are of Cardinal Granvelle himself. The other is of the Duke of Alba. Between 1549 and 1550, Prince Philip II visited the Netherlands. Mor painted his portrait in Brussels in 1549. Mor also visited Italy and copied some paintings by the famous artist Titian.

Painting for Kings in Portugal

In 1550, Mor traveled to Lisbon, Portugal. He was asked by Mary of Hungary to paint portraits of the Portuguese royal family. On his way, he likely stopped in Valladolid, Spain. There, he painted Maximilian II and his wife Maria of Austria. He also painted their daughter Anna and Philip II’s son, Don Carlos.

In Lisbon, Mor painted King John III and Queen Catharine. He also painted Prince João Manuel and Princess Maria of Portugal. She was going to marry Philip II. Mor was back in Brussels by November 1553.

Painting Queen Mary I of England

In 1553, the King of England, Edward VI, died. King Charles V of Spain saw a chance for an alliance with England. He arranged for his son Philip to marry Mary Tudor, the new Queen of England.

During these talks, Mor was sent to England to paint a portrait of Queen Mary. This painting was very popular in England. Mor made at least three versions of it. These became the most famous pictures of the Queen. On December 20, 1553, Philip officially made Mor his royal painter.

Back in Brussels and Utrecht

In October 1555, Charles V stepped down from the throne. His son Philip became the new King of Spain. During the celebrations, Mor likely received many requests for paintings. Sadly, many of these paintings are now lost.

Mor painted some of his most important portraits during this time. These include a portrait of William I of Orange (1555) and Alessandro Farnese (1557). He also painted a new portrait of Philip II. Other important works include portraits of Jane Dormer (1558) and Jean Lecocq and his wife (1559). He also painted his old teacher, Jan van Scorel (1559).

After Queen Mary Tudor died in 1558, King Philip married Isabella de Valois in 1559. Mor painted her around 1561, but this portrait seems to be lost. Mor's only known self-portrait is from this time. It is now in the Uffizi Gallery. He also painted a portrait of his presumed wife, which is in the Prado.

Life at the Spanish Royal Court

It seems Mor went with King Philip when he returned to Spain in 1559. Mor stayed at the Spanish court for a while. King Philip often wrote to Mor after the painter left Spain in 1561. Philip asked Mor to return many times, but Mor never did.

Some paintings Mor supposedly made in Spain include portraits of Juana of Austria and Don Carlos. A very praised painting from this time is the portrait of Pejerón, a jester. People have wondered why Mor left the Spanish court. Some say he became too close to the king, which made others suspicious. Mor's student, Alonso Sánchez Coello, continued his style. He took Mor's place as the Spanish court painter.

Returning to the Netherlands

When Mor returned to the Netherlands, he likely traveled between Utrecht, Antwerp, and Brussels. He stayed in touch with Cardinal Granvelle. He also worked for the Dutch court, where he painted Margaretha of Parma.

After his return, Mor focused on painting regular citizens. He painted merchants and their wives in Antwerp. He also painted artisans, like the goldsmith Steven van Herwijck (1564). These paintings are different from his court portraits. They show another side of his talent.

Mor faced some money problems when Granvelle returned to France. The Netherlands also had social and political unrest. The Duke of Alba helped Mor by giving him painting jobs. After 1567, Mor lived in Antwerp. In 1572, he officially registered as a master painter there. He painted a Venus and Adonis for the new Stadhuis.

Mor might have visited England again in 1568. This is suggested by his portraits of a Nobleman with Dog and Sir Henry Lee. In 1559 and 1562, Mor painted two portraits of Margareta of Parma. In 1570, Anne of Austria stopped in Antwerp on her way to Spain. Mor painted her portrait. This was Mor's last known court painting. However, he was still called Philip II's court painter in 1573.

We don't know much about Mor's life after 1570. He might have lost some customers to other painters. The last portrait linked to Mor is of Hubertus Goltzius, from 1576. Towards the end of his life, Mor painted religious and mythological scenes. But he was never as successful in these as he was with portraits. He is believed to have been working on a painting called Circumcision for the Cathedral of Antwerp when he died in 1576.

Famous Paintings by Anthonis Mor

Many of Mor's portraits were copied by other artists. Some artists whose works have been confused with Mor's include Alonso Sánchez Coello and Francisco de Holanda. Many engravings (prints) based on his work were also made.

Image Gallery

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Antonio Moro para niños

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