Simon Bening

Simon Bening was the leading manuscript painter of Flanders in the early sixteenth century. His miniatures in prayer books show landscapes, seasons and scenes of daily life with delicate detail and bright colour.

Born in Ghent or Antwerp, he trained with his father and worked in Bruges. He made books of hours for royal and wealthy patrons and painted small portraits, including self-portraits. His scenes of the months are an early step towards landscape painting.

His works are in the Getty Museum and the British Library. Look at his tiny landscapes, full of light and space.