Marmion, Simon

(c. 1420/1425-1489)

   French painter and manuscript illuminator from Amiens who was praised by the poet Jean Lemaire de Belges as the "prince of illuminators." As a member of a family of painters, Marmion probably received his training from his father. He settled in Valenciennes sometime in the 1540s and there he established his own independent workshop. In 1454, he was summoned by Philip the Good to work for him on the decorations of a lavish banquet. From this point on, Marmion regularly worked for the Burgundian court, also serving Philip's son, Charles the Bold, and Charles' wife, Margaret of York. Though a number of manuscript illuminations, including the Crucifixion in the Pontifical of Sens (c. 1467; Brussels, Bibliothèque Royale, Ms. 9215, fol. 129), can be given to Marmion with certainty, his large-scale paintings are not as well documented. Among these is the Lamentation (early 1470s) at the New York Metropolitan Museum, which bears the arms and interlaced initials of Charles and Margaret on the verso. The painting's small scale denotes that it was meant for use in private devotion. Other works by Marmion are in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, namely his Pietà and St. Jerome and a Cardinal Praying, both dating to the last quarter of the 15th century. The angular forms of Marmion's draperies, the brilliant colors, emphasis on details, and drama define his works as Flemish.

   See also Illuminated manuscript.