| Flemish artist who
entered the Guild of Painters in Bruges in 1519, and also worked as an architect
and designed sculpture, tapestries, and pageant decorations. In 1550 he
and Jan van Scorel were commissioned to restore the
van Eycks' celebrated
Ghent Altarpiece. The triptych of The martyrdom of SS. Cosmas and Damian
(S. Jacques, Bruges) is typical of his work as a painter in its profusion
of Italian ornament. By the 16th century Bruges had declined greatly in
importance as a trading centre as its port silted up, and Blondeel represents
one of the last sparks of its great artistic tradition.
Works
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