Bartolomé de Cárdenas, "El Bermejo"

the long version

Bartolome de Cardenas, known as "el Bermejo" (fl 1468-1495) was the foremost Hispanic painter of his century, and one of the few artists of his generation to master the technique of oil glazing, developed in Flanders, and to adapt this technique to the demands of the Hispanic market. Bermejo was the most interesting painter of his generation in a time of great artistic and cultural as well as historic change in Spain. Originally from Cordoba, Bermejo appears to have received training directly in Northern Europe in the new technique of oil glazes. During his fascinating career he sometimes drew on the local "art scene" producing altarpieces of astounding quality. This monograph will examine Bermejo's career in the various cities in the Crown of Aragon where he worked: Valencia, Daroca, Zaragoza and Barcelona.