Bartolome Bermejo is the name of a Spanish painter from the 15th century whom we only know for less than 20 works. Still, what we know of this guy and his works are so amazing that he is still unparalleled for his work during his lifetime, especially his oil-painting work.
From June 12th until September 29th, you can take a look at this awesome temporary exhibition in the National Gallery in London portraying seven of his rare works. And guess what, only one of these works has been in England before, while the other six works will be on English soil for the first time ever. In other words, this is a fantastic chance to learn more about Bartolome Bermejo and to see seven of his works (which is more than 33% of what we know he made) at the very same time.
This is a free temporary exhibition, meaning that you can enjoy it without paying a single penny, just like you can with most other permanent exhibitions in the National Gallery in London!
The full press release about the exhibitoin
Here you can see the full press release about the exhibition. The text is copied from the homepage of the National Gallery.
From the glimmer of a jewel to the sheen of armour, Bermejo’s ability to capture light, colours and textures in oil painting was unparalleled in 15th-century Spain.
Though fewer than 20 works by the artist are known and much of his life remains something of a mystery, Bermejo’s paintings set him apart as a technically skilled and visionary master.
Bringing together seven of his rare works, six of which have never been seen in the UK, this exhibition explores how Bermejo drew inspiration from Netherlandish painting, using illusionistic effects and a rich colour palette, to become one of the greatest artists of the Spanish Renaissance.
At the heart of the exhibition is Saint Michael Triumphs over the Devil, widely considered the most important early Spanish painting in Britain. Its technical skill and excellent state of preservation are even clearer following its recent year-long conservation treatment.
This will be a unique opportunity to see Bermejo’s first documented painting, ‘Saint Michael’ alongside his last, the recently restored ‘Desplà Pietà’ (1490) from Barcelona Cathedral, which has never been lent outside of Spain until now. Also on display will be Bermejo’s only other signed masterwork, the ‘Triptych of the Virgin of Montserrat’ (probably 1470–75) from the Cattedrale Nostra Signora Assunta in Acqui Terme, Alessandria (Italy).
