Karel van Mander
Early Life and Training
Born: Mellebeke, Belgium (1548)
Died: 1606
Karel van Mander was born into a noble family in Meulebeke, County of Flanders.
He received his early artistic training under Lucas de Heere in Ghent (1568-1569) and subsequently with Pieter Vlerick in Kortrijk.
Early on, he also engaged in writing religious plays and designing scenery for them.
Travels and Artistic Development
Rome (1574-1577): Van Mande
r spent three years in Rome, where he encountered classical art and developed his artistic style. The biographical sketch mentions him as the "discoverer of caves," possibly referring to the catacombs.
Vienna: During a return journey from Italy, he collaborated with Bartholomeus Spranger and Hans Mont on creating a triumphal arch for Emperor Rudolf II's royal entry. This experience exposed him further to Mannerist influences.
Settl…
