Master of Ampurias [Master of Castelló dEmpúries]
( fl second quarter of the 15th century). Catalan painter. He is named after the altarpiece of the Archangel Michael from S Maria, Castelló dEmpúries, near Girona, of which six scenes survive (Girona, Mus. A.). His other principal surviving work is a large panel representing SS John the Baptist and Stephen (Barcelona, Mus. A. Catalunya), which formed the main section of an altarpiece, probably from the Dominican church in Puigcerdà. These works show that the Master was a representative of the final stages of the so-called International Gothic style and was particularly attracted by the problems of naturalistic interpretation. The compositions show his interest in human physiognomy, costumes and landscape. His minute attention to detail resulted, however, in a lack of integration of the different elements of the composition. He had a fine sense of colour and sound technical skill, enabling him to exploit the qualities of the tempera medium.
Part of the Masters, anonymous, and monogrammists family
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