King Arthur

Based on woodcuts by Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen Netherlandish

ca. 1541

On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 18

Three of the four heroes depicted in this case—Alexander the Great, King Arthur, and Godefroy de Bouillon—were based on woodcuts from the "Nine Heroes" series by the Dutch artist Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen (before 1470–1533). Jan van Boendale’s poem Der Leken Spieghel (The Layman’s Mirror) introduced the heroes to the Netherlands shortly after Jacques de Longuyon’s romance appeared in France.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: King Arthur
Enameler: Colin Nouailher (French, active 1539, d. after 1571)
Artist: Based on woodcuts by Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen (Netherlandish, Oostsanen ca. 1470–1533 Amsterdam)
Date: ca. 1541
Culture: French, Limoges
Medium: Painted and partly gilded enamel on copper
Dimensions: Diameter: 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm)
Classification: Enamels
Credit Line: Purchase, John H. and Susan Gutfreund Gift, 1993
Object Number: 1993.65.2
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Julius Caesar, Colin Nouailher French, Painted enamel on copper, partly gilt, French, Limoges — Julius Caesar
Colin Nouailher
probably ca. 1541

Roland, Colin Nouailher French, Painted and partly gilded enamel on copper, French, Limoges — Roland
Colin Nouailher
ca. 1541

Godfroy de Bouillon, Colin Nouailher French, Painted and partly gilded enamel on copper, French, Limoges — Godfroy de Bouillon
Colin Nouailher
Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen
ca. 1541

Alexander the Great, Colin Nouailher French, Painted and partly gilded enamel on copper, French, Limoges — Alexander the Great
Colin Nouailher
Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen
ca. 1541

The Crucifixion, Colin Nouailher French, Painted enamel on copper, partly gilt; gilt-brass frame, French, Limoges — The Crucifixion
Colin Nouailher
Alfred André
mid-16th century

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