Martín Bernat facts for kids
Martín Bernat was a Spanish Gothic painter. He was active in Zaragoza, Spain, between 1450 and 1505. He often worked with another famous painter, Bartolomé Bermejo. We don't know the exact years he was born or when he died.
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Becoming a Painter
Martín Bernat was the son of a painter who had the same name. Records show that Bernat agreed to finish an altarpiece for the church of Santo Domingo de Silos in Daroca. This artwork was started by Bartolomé Bermejo but left unfinished. An altarpiece is a large work of art, often painted or carved, that stands behind the altar in a church.
The original altarpiece was likely taken apart in the 1700s after a church fire. However, one important part of it is now in the Museo del Prado museum. This part shows King Ferdinand I of Castile welcoming Saint Dominic of Silos. This piece was probably finished by Bermejo himself.
Working with Other Artists
Martín Bernat worked closely with Bartolomé Bermejo between 1479 and 1484. They helped restore a colorful altarpiece in the Cathedral. They also painted an altarpiece for the chapel of the Visitation of the Pillar of Zaragoza. This close work with Bermejo greatly influenced Bernat's own painting style. It also affected other artists in the Aragon region during the late 1400s.
You can see Bermejo's influence in many of Bernat's works. For example, paintings like "St. Victorian between San Gaudioso and Saint Nazaire" in the Cathedral show similar styles. Another example is "San Blas between San Vicente and San Lorenzo" from the church of St. Mary Magdalene in Lécera.
Important Art Projects
In 1485, Bernat teamed up with another painter, Miguel Ximénez. They were hired to create the main altarpiece for the church in Blesa, a town in the Province of Teruel. This altarpiece told the story of the Holy Cross. Today, you can see it in the Museum of Zaragoza.
It seems Bernat's part in this project was smaller. Most of the payments went to Ximénez, who even finished the work alone in 1487. However, the parts of the altarpiece that are thought to be by Bernat and his workshop look older in style. They are also closer to Bermejo's work. These parts include paintings of prophets and scenes from the Passion of Christ, like "Jesus before Caiaphas" and "Descent from the Cross".
What Remains of His Work
Bernat and Bermejo often worked together on big projects, even though they had their own workshops. In 1489, they collaborated again to decorate an altar for the Augustinian monks in Zaragoza. This artwork is now lost. We know that both painters traveled to Barcelona to study a famous altarpiece by Jaume Huguet.
Many documents show that Bernat was a very respected painter. He had a busy workshop, and his style influenced many altarpieces in the Aragon area. Sadly, most of his documented works are now lost. Only a few pieces remain, besides the Blesa altarpiece. These include altarpieces for the Talavera chapel in the Tarazona Cathedral and the church of San Juan Bautista in Zaidín. The central part of the Zaidín altarpiece is now in the Diocesan and Regional Museum of Lleida.
Images for kids
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A robot for kids.
See also
In Spanish: Martín Bernat para niños
