NORTH NETHERLANDISH SCHOOL, CIRCA 1475-1485

While in the 15th century, Netherlandish painters most frequently produced works in oil on oak panels, they often also created works in distemper, ground pigments mixed with water and egg white, gum or animal glue, on fine-weave linen to create what is known as tüchleins. As there was usually no ground preparation, tüchlein paintings tend to have matte surfaces which were not intended to be varnished. The resulting works of art were more prone to damage than their counterparts on panel, and accordingly precious few examples survive.
The present composition is closely related to an engraving by the Netherlandish artist known as Master I.A.M. of Zwolle (active circa 1470-95). Here, the as of yet unidentified North Netherlandish artist has used the print as a point of departure, embellishing the background with a landscape and additional scenes. He has also populated his painting with new figures along the right and left edges. The double-headed eagle on the flag appears to relate to the Paleologos-Montferrat house, while the second pennant showing three wild boars or dogs attacking a figure has yet to be identified. Stylistically, the tüchlein appears to be contemporary to the print.