Northern Artists in Italy ca. 1565-85: Hans Speckaert as a Draughtsman and a Teacher

A missing link between Renaissance and Baroque studies is provided within a period unjustly associated with the stigma of "darkness". In particular, the activity of the little-known Flemish artist Hans Speckaert (d. ca. 1577) and his Northern compatriots in Italy in 1565-85 is illuminated. First, a summary of economic, political, and artistic cross-currents is given. The issues concerning the genesis of Northern Maniera style within the Italian milieu are also addressed. Second, the stylistic development of Hans Speckaert's drawings is traced within a chronological frame. Attention is also given to Northern artists in Italy, and especially in Rome, who may have been influenced by the art of Speckaert and his role as a teacher in an informal "academy" of drawings. An appendix with a summary of major literature on Hans Speckaert, a table of Northern artists in Italy, and a comprehensive catalogue raisonne of Speckaert's engravings, paintings, authentic drawings, copies, and the falsely attributed drawings follow. The primary objective is to clarify the activity of Northern artists in Italy within the history of their trans-Alpine journeys, dynastic patronage and history of collecting and, more specifically, with respect to the very talented and much neglected personality of Hans Speckaert.