Pair of Flemish Renaissance panels, ca. 1600.
Carved oak.
Measurements: 36.5 x 28 cm.
Pair of Flemish Renaissance panels carved in oak, depicting religious scenes with the Infant Jesus surrounded by Renaissance floral decoration. They would be part of the decoration of a larger piece of furniture. Italian Renaissance furniture enjoyed a development comparable to the rest of its artistic manifestations. Craftsmen spent a minimum of ten years as apprentices before being considered sufficiently qualified to become masters. Although late Gothic style furniture predominates in central and northern Europe almost until the first half of the 16th century, the Renaissance style, born in Italy, soon spread throughout the European courts. It completely changed the concept of decoration and the idea of the house as a "residence" was affirmed, and furniture became a fundamental element of the stately home. A majestic type of furniture took shape, of elegant classical proportions and built with refined wisdom. In the decorative theme, architectural elements such as columns, plinths, pilasters, balustrades, mirrors, moldings, carved motifs and bas-reliefs began to be used. The wood most used by the craftsmen of the XV and XVI centuries for the construction of quality furniture is walnut.