Artwork
Alfons III the Liberal
Alfons III the Liberal is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Jaume Mateu. It dates from 1427 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Alfons III the Liberal is a tempera painting created in 1427 by Jaume Mateu, a Valencian artist working within the Gothic tradition. The work is now part of the collection at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Alfonso III of Aragon, depicted with a long beard, mustache, and regal attire adorned with gems and gold accents. His serious expression and downward gaze are set against a dark background, emphasizing his figure and authority.
Technique & Style
Mateu employed tempera to achieve depth and texture in the portrait. The style reflects the early Renaissance period, though rooted in Gothic traditions characteristic of the artist's oeuvre.
History & Provenance
Jaume Mateu, active in Valencia from 1402 to 1453, often collaborated with his uncle Pere Nicolau. This piece is one of several works commissioned by patrons in Teruel and Barcelona, highlighting Mateu's regional reputation.
Context
As an early Renaissance work, Alfons III the Liberal bridges Gothic and emerging Renaissance styles, reflecting the artistic transition of the time in the Iberian Peninsula.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of Alfons III the Liberal on later art are not prominently documented, it remains a significant example of Jaume Mateu's contribution to the transitional period between Gothic and Renaissance art in Catalonia.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jaume Mateu (1382–1452) was a Valencian painter of the Gothic style. The nephew and collaborator of Pere Nicolau, he is known to have worked in Valencia from 1402 to 1453. Works attributed to him include the Adoration…
