Nuno Gonçalves

Gonçalves is widely considered the most accomplished Portuguese painter of the 15th century. His surviving masterpiece is the polyptych known as the Saint Vincent Panels. He is also believed to have been the author of the Pastrana Tapestries.

The recorded working language is Portuguese. The field of work recorded is Renaissance art and portrait painting. Positions recorded include court painter. Works named in the authority record are Portrait of Princess Saint Joana, Saint Vincent Tied to a Column, Saint Francis and Saint Vincent Panels. Work by Nuno Gonçalves is recorded in the collections of Finnish National Gallery, National Museum of Ancient Art and Mosteiro de Jesus, compreendendo o túmulo de Santa Joana.

• Name — Nuno Gonçalves • Field — Renaissance art • Movement — Portuguese Renaissance • Works — Saint Vincent Panels • Patrons — Afonso V of Portugal

The details of Gonçalves's life are almost completely unknown. His paintings, heavily reminiscent of the works of Jan van Eyck, Hugo van der Goes, and Dieric Bouts, suggest he was a student of an artist familiar with Flemish technique and style. One plausible theory is that he received training in the Low Countries, perhaps in the Brussels workshop of Rogier van der Weyden. Gonçalves was appointed court painter by King Afonso V on 20 July 1450, occupying the position until at least 1471. In recognition of his contributions, he was knighted by Afonso in 1470. In 1471, Gonçalves was designated official painter for Lisbon.

Gonçalves was largely forgotten before Jose de Figuerdia, the first director of the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, attributed the Saint Vincent Panels to him in the early 20th century. Figuerdia's attribution was founded on a reference to an altar of St. Vincent produced by Goncalves in Francisco de Holanda's 1548 manuscript, Pintura Antigua. More definitive evidence of Goncalves's authorship is a signature at the bottom, revealed after cleaning, that appears to be his initials. One of the most renowned works of the 15th century, the Saint Vincent Panels were likely created between 1450 and 1470 to commemorate Afonso V's victories in Morocco. The polyptych compromises six oil paintings on wood, named left to right Panel of the Friars, Panel of the Fishermen, Panel of the Prince, Panel of the Archbishop, Panel of the Knights, and Panel of the Relic. The piece is thought to depict Vincent of Saragossa, present in the two center panels, surrounded by 58 characters representing the royal court and various classes of Portuguese early modern society. Since the discovery of the Panels in the late 19th century, the identities of the figures depicted have been the subject of speculation and debate. Among those commonly identified are Afonso V, Isabella of Coimbra, Henry the Navigator, and Prince John.

• Illustration — Saint Paul, by Nuno Gonçalves Gonçalves's work is marked by the portrayal of distinct and expressive faces. He incorporates limited background details, instead concentrating attention upon persons. Although his luminous oil technique and employment of realism were undeniably influenced by contemporary Flemish and Italian schools of art, Gonçalves's emphasis on individuality was unique. The Saint Vincent Panels are the only work that can be assigned to Gonçalves with confidence but a few other pieces have been tentatively attributed to him based on similarities of style. The following paintings are often attributed to him: • Saint Vincent Panels, c. 1470–1480, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • São Paulo, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • São Francisco, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • Saint Vincent Tied to a Column, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • São Teotónio, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • São Pedro, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon • Portrait of Princess Saint Joana, Aveiro In addition to painting, Goncalves probably designed the scenes for the Pastrana Tapestries.

Nuno Gonçalves is recorded as painter and portraitist.