Stradanus, 1523-1605

Johannes Stradanus (Jan van der Straet, Giovanni Stradano) is one of the most well-known unknown artists in history. Even though the Bruges-born painter (1523-1605) had a more than successful career in the highly competitive city of Florence in the second half of the 16th century, his name long remained a well-hidden secret for specialists only. Many of his works, though, are very well known. Around 1570, Stradanus - who began as designer of tapestries and fresco painter in service of the Medici - started a second career as draughtsman and designer of hundreds of prints. These were engraved, published and distributed all over the then-known world by Antwerp publishers in huge numbers. It are these works - widely collected, copied and used - which secured Stradanus's place in art history as an inventive and influential artist. Based on the first ever monographic exhibition on Stradanus in the Groeningemuseum in Bruges (2008-2009), this study aims to reassess the importance and versatility of the artist's oeuvre.