Jean Malouel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Malouel
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| Born | c. 1365 |
| Died | c. 1416 |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Known for | Painting |
Jean Malouel, also known as Jan Maelwael in his home country, was a Dutch artist. He lived from about 1365 to 1415. Jean Malouel was a special painter for important rulers. He worked as the court painter for Philip the Bold, who was the Duke of Burgundy. After Philip, he also worked for Philip's son, John the Fearless. Malouel's art style is called International Gothic.
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Who Was Jean Malouel?
Jean Malouel was likely born in a city called Nijmegen. This city is now part of the Netherlands. He probably learned to paint in his father's art workshop. His father, Willem Maelwael, was also an artist. Jean Malouel's uncle was an artist too. Records show he was working as an artist by 1382.
Malouel's Family Connections
Jean Malouel was the uncle of three famous brothers. These brothers were the Limbourg brothers. They were known for making beautiful pictures in books. Malouel helped them get jobs working for Duke Philip around the year 1400. Malouel also made pictures for books himself. But he mostly created larger paintings.
Working for the Duke
In 1396 and 1397, Malouel worked in Paris. He painted designs on cloth for the Queen of France, Isabelle of Bavaria. These were likely for banners or flags. By August 1397, he moved to Dijon. Dijon was the main city of the Duchy of Burgundy.
He became the official court painter for Duke Philip. This was a very important job. He also had the title of valet de chambre. He kept these jobs until he died. Malouel earned a higher salary than other artists of his time. He lived in Dijon for many years.
In 1405, after Duke Philip died, Malouel went back to Nijmegen. He married Heilwig van Redinchaven there. Then he brought her back to Dijon. He visited Nijmegen again for over two months in 1413. Jean Malouel died in Dijon in 1415. He left behind his wife, Heilwig, and four children. His wife received money from the Duke. She then returned to Nijmegen.
What Did Jean Malouel Paint?
Malouel received many art jobs. Many were for decorating palaces. In 1398, he was asked to paint five altarpieces. These were for the Chartreuse of Champmol. This was a special burial place for Duke Philip's family.
The Well of Moses
Malouel also painted the Well of Moses at Champmol. This was a large sculpture made by Claus Sluter. Malouel added color to the base of the sculpture. From 1401, another artist, Herman of Cologne, helped Malouel. They worked on painting and gilding (adding gold) the "Well" for several years. This was a very big project.
Malouel also painted Duke Philip's tomb at Champmol. He did this after the sculptors finished it.
Famous Paintings by Malouel
It is sometimes hard to know for sure which paintings were made by Malouel. One painting that most experts agree he made is the Pietà tondo. A tondo is a round painting. This painting is now in the Louvre museum. It is thought to be the first true round painting of the Renaissance.
This painting has Duke Philip's family symbol on the back. So, it must have been painted before Philip died in 1404. The painting shows the Holy Trinity. This fits with Champmol, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The painting mixes styles from Northern Europe and Italy. This was common in the International Gothic art of that time.
Another large painting is the Martyrdom of St Denis with the Trinity. This painting is also in the Louvre. It might have been started by Malouel. But it was finished by another artist, Henri Bellechose, after Malouel died. Records show that Bellechose received paint to finish a "painting of the life of St Denis". Some people think they can see two different styles in the painting.
Portraits and Other Works
Malouel is also believed to have created a portrait of Duke Philip around 1400. We only have copies of this portrait today. He also painted a portrait of John the Fearless in 1413. This was for the King of Portugal. There were also portraits of Philip and John at Champmol.
A large painting of the Madonna and Child was found in 1960. It is now in a museum in Berlin. Some experts think Malouel painted it. Another similar painting is in the Louvre. The Berlin painting might have been one half of a two-part artwork. The other half could have been a portrait of John the Fearless. This would be one of the first examples of this type of artwork.
Other works are also thought to be by Malouel or his workshop. These include a smaller Pietà tondo in the Louvre. Also, a damaged painting called Entombment of Christ in Troyes.
Images for kids
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Pietà with the Holy Trinity by Jean Malouel, Louvre
See also
In Spanish: Jean Malouel para niños
