Collection: Bartholomaeus Spranger

Bartholomaeus Spranger (1546–1611) was a Flemish painter, draughtsman, sculptor, and print designer. After training in Antwerp, he joined the court of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II in Prague in 1581. There, he merged Netherlandish technique with Italian Mannerist influences, particularly those of Roman artists, aligning with Rudolf II’s aesthetic preferences.

Spranger’s works feature elongated, smoothly modeled figures in dynamic poses, often depicting nude female figures from behind. His allegorical and mythological subjects, such as "Cupid and Psyche" (c. 1600) and "Ceres and Bacchus" (1600s), prioritized sensuality and technical precision. His designs circulated widely through prints, spreading his influence across Northern Europe, especially in the Dutch Republic.

In Prague, Spranger contributed to the city’s artistic flourishing under Rudolf II. His fusion of Flemish and Italian traditions shaped Northern Mannerism. Collaborations with engravers and the distribution of his works via reproductive prints ensured his style reached artists like Karel van Mander, who worked in his studio.