Abraham Diepenbeeck
born: 1596 (?) | died: 1675 |
Flemish painter, born in Bois-leDuc (today:
's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands). He was one of the best students of
Rubens from whom he also learned to prepare designs for engravings.
In
1638 he was admitted to the St. Lukas Guild for painters and later became
the director.
He built strong connections with the Carmelites, especially in Anversa
and Boxmeer, The Netherlands. The 18 windows in the Boxmeer cloister,
depict various
Carmelites saints and the nobles of Boxmeer with whom he also had close
friendships.
Diepenbeeck is thought to have created over 200 Carmelite related
designs.
He died on December 31, 1675. |
| |
Abraham Diepenbeeck commemorated the
canonization of Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi in 1669 with a series of
engravings. The
Vita seraphicae virginis S. Mariae
Magdalenae de Pazzis iconibus expressa is 50 drawing creating a pictoral
life of the saint. The work was dedicated to the noble lady Magdalen de Cusance, foundress of the Carmelite monastery in
Boxmeer and sister of Beatrix de Cusance who was instrumental in the founding of
the Carmelite house in Wavre.
Each engraving is 21x28.5 cm with a brief explanation in Latin, French,
and Flemish at the bottom.
In the opinion of Emond, the art is "a remarkable synthesis of the life of Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi," which
"clearly expresses the essential traits of her mystical life."
The success of the series was immediate and the scenes were diffused
wherever there were Carmelites in Europe. |
