Pieter de Kempener

Pieter de Kempener , c.1503-1580, Flemish painter, b. Brussels. He studied and painted for 10 years in Italy and about 1537 settled in Seville, Spain, where he was known as Pedro Campaña. For churches in Seville he painted religious pictures remarkable for the strong chiaroscuro and naturalistic detail that influenced the school of Seville. The development toward mannerism can be seen in the agitated movements and elongated figures of his masterpiece The Descent from the Cross in the Seville Cathedral. On his return to Brussels (1563) he became chief engineer to the duque de Alba and director of the tapestry works.

Kempeneer, Pieter de (b Brussels, c.1503; d Brussels, c.1580). Netherlandish painter and tapestry designer, active for much of his career in Spain, where he was known as Pedro de Campaña. He is documented in Seville from 1537 to 1561 and in the later part of this period he was the leading painter in the city (several examples of his work are in the cathedral). Before arriving in Spain he is said to have spent several years in Italy. This has been doubted, as the fairly superficial Italian influence in his Mannerist style could have been gained from prints. By 1563 he was back in Brussels, designing tapestry cartoons. He is also said to have worked as an architect and sculptor.

Kempeneer, Pieter de (c.1503–c.1580). Netherlandish painter and tapestry designer, active for much of his career in Spain, where he was known as Pedro de Campaña. He is documented in Seville from 1537 to 1561 and in the later part of this period he was the leading painter in the city (several examples of his work are in the cathedral). Before arriving in Spain he is said to have spent several years in Italy. This has been doubted, as the fairly superficial Italian influence in his Mannerist style could have been gained from prints. By 1563 he was back in Brussels, his native city, designing tapestry carttons. He is also said to have worked as an architect and sculptor.