It does not please [me], Lombard, to write here in a few verses an epigraph which would be suitable to your merits. Those pages contain it which (if our works deserve to be read) the Lampsonian pen wrote about you. Continue Reading 43. Lambert Lombard
Who is this new Hieronymus Bosch for the world, versed in imitating the master’s ingenious dreams with such great skill of paintbrush and pen – so that sometimes he surpasses even him. Pieter, [you are] blessed in your spirit, as you are blessed in your skill, for in your own and your old master’s comic type of painting, full of wit, you deserve glorious rewards of praise, everywhere and from everyone, no less than those of any artist. Continue Reading 45. Pieter Bruegel
What faces of people the hand of Key, learned in painting, expressed, so that you could believe you were looking at them! – if however, you except one, Mor, in my opinion the Belgians do not fear to be found wanting because of anyone’s skill. Continue Reading 47. Willem Key
Hail, Lucas, once more dear than all the rest, and no less honoured by me than my own father. Indeed you were the first cause of loving painting offered to me, while you were painting fields and huts with your learned hand. Equal to your skill are your honesty and candour, and whatever [else] can attract the minds of the good with love. Therefore may the fame of your virtue and skill live forever, old man beloved to me on both counts. Continue Reading 49. Lucas Gassel
If, Floris you had acquired for yourself as much skill as you had natural ability as a painter (since you preferred to paint many things than to paint a lot, and neither the just delay of the file nor hard work pleased you) – I would cry out ‘yield painters from all lands, whom either our grandfathers or our fathers produced’. Continue Reading 51. Frans Floris
“He is considered to be a man grave in virtue and famous for his skill, the greatest glory of his Teutonic people. The emperor gave him the marks of nobility. So great was the honour [paid] to his skill, and so great the man’s fame.” Continue Reading 53. Albrecht Dürer
You too, not equal, but nearest to Dürer, whether you be painting pictures, or sculpting bronze forms which provide marvellous plates for the thin paper, take (if there is any glory in this) a place – not the least important – in our Muse’s work, along with your native Leyden. Continue Reading 55. Lucas van Leyden
An exceptional painter, who was pleasing to great Erasmus. From this, Basel, how much does your praise grow! The Briton, separated from our world, received you, Holbein. Your praise is not contained by one world. Continue Reading 57. Hans Holbein
This Aldegrever is not an uneducated Westphalian. He was famous for images of kings and learned men. He painted well the tailor king,1 he who had bound Westphalia with the subtle thread of his genius. Continue Reading 59. Heinrich Aldegrever
Jacob Binck, German painter and sculptor. Binck painted and engraved himself what he imagined in his mind. His skill, hand and mind vie [with one another]. Since your [works] are learnedly expressed, you will be great, if the censor of skill is believed. Continue Reading 61. Jacob Binck
