Northern artists in Cinquecento Milan: Glass painters in the fabbrica del Duomo

Abstract

In the sixteenth century, glass painters from the Low Countries, France, and Germany were regarded as absolute specialists in their trade. As such, they were able to find employment all over Europe. One of the cities where they established themselves was the flourishing Milan, which was part of the Spanish Empire at that time. However, the importance of early modern Milan as destination for Northern artists has so far been underexposed in academic studies. This thesis aims to fill this lacuna by retracing how the Northern glass painters were hired to produce stained glass windows for the cathedral, one of the most prestigious projects in the city. While doing so, the thesis presents new insights in the positions and activities of these Northern artists within the church factory, and analyses how these differed from local artists. Based on (re)interpretations of primary and secondary sources, this study argues that in Milan, the Northern glass painters were prolific and highly appreciated, and that they received a remuneration equal to that of local artists. They collaborated with both Lombard and other foreign artists, who made designs for the windows, while drawing inspiration from Lombard mannerism for their own creations. Through their technical knowledge, the Northern artists secured themselves a strong position within the workshop, which allowed them to impose high standards on their employers. Together with local painters, individuals such as Konrad Much or Valerius van Diependale made a fundamental contribution to the Cathedral of Milan, something that can still be admired today.