Jorge Afonso: 18 interesting facts

Jorge Afonso (c. 1470 – 1540) was an important Portuguese Renaissance painter.

Jorge Afonso was nominated royal painter in 1508 by King Manuel I and another time in 1529 by John III. He was mainly based in Lisbon, with a workshop near the Church of São Domingos. A combined generation of Portuguese painters was educated in his workshop, including Cristóvão de Figueiredo, Garcia Fernandes, Gregório Lopes and Jorge Leal, among others.

The main painted altarpieces qualified to Jorge Afonso were commissioned by the outmoded Queen Leonor, widow of King John II and sister of Manuel I. For the former Queen, Jorge Afonso painted the main altarpiece of the Convent of Madre de Deus, in Lisbon, in 1515. This magnificent altarpiece is now in the National Museum of Ancient Art, in Lisbon. Between 1520 and 1530, Jorge Afonso painted the 14 panels of the main altarpiece of the Monastery of Jesus, in Setúbal, again sponsored by Queen Leonor. The panels can be seen in the museum of the Monastery.

See also  Peter Gouldthorpe: life and works

Jorge Afonso’s workshop is also joined to the painted beautification of the walls of the Round Church of the Convent of Christ, in Tomar, executed in the 1530s.

What do you think of the works of Jorge Afonso?

Use the form below to say your opinion about Jorge Afonso. All opinions are welcome!

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.