MARTORELL, BERNARDO

(c. 1400-1452)

Spanish painter and miniaturist who embraced theInternational Style. Martorell was probably trained byLuis Borrassáin Barcelona where he is documented from 1427. There he became the leading artist of the region. HisAltarpieceof St.Vincent(c. 1435-1440; Barcelona, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya),Retable ofSt.George(c. 1437; Chicago, Art Institute, and Paris, Louvre), andRetable of theTransfiguration(c. 1445-1452; Barcelona, Cathedral) show the emphasis on the details of costumes and architecture, liberal use of gilding, and crowding characteristic of the International Style. These works also demonstrate Martorell's gradual move toward greater realism and simplification.