Joachim Patinir

Patinir was from near Dinant in present-day Belgium. He valued his roots, often including a 'D' for 'Dionantensis' in his signature. The steep rocks in his landscapes were inspired by the scenery of his birthplace.¹

In 1511, he is believed to have traveled to Genoa, Italy, with his presumed teacher Gerard David. This journey and his training in Bruges are thought to have played a key role in his early artistic development.¹

Joachim Patinir was registered as a member of Antwerp's Guild of Saint Luke in 1515.²

He was a pioneer who established landscape as an independent genre. He was the first Netherlandish painter to define himself as a landscape painter, creating the 'world landscape' style of panoramic vistas.¹

Registered in Antwerp's Guild of Saint Luke in 1515, he worked there until his death. In Antwerp, then the center of the art market, he operated a large workshop and produced numerous works.¹

Joachim Patinir is believed to have been active from around 1515.³

Joachim Patinir painted 'The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah' around 1520.²

The master Albrecht Dürer was a friend who attended Patinir's second wedding in 1521. Dürer called him 'the good landscape painter,' a phrase that became the origin of the term for this specialized profession.¹

He was close friends with painter Quentin Metsys and collaborated on works. They practiced a division of labor where Patinir painted landscapes and Metsys added figures; Metsys later became the guardian of Patinir's daughters.¹

OctJoachim Patinir died in Antwerp on October 5, 1524.²

Only five signed works by Patinir exist. However, many others are attributed to him or his workshop due to his unique style; a 2007 Prado exhibition featured 21 paintings identified as his or from his workshop.¹