Gossaert in London

The National Gallery hosts a major show of the Flemish primitive

© The Adoration of the Kings, 1510-15, National Gallery, London

If asked to name an artist active in Flanders in the 15th or 16th centuries, you might think of Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling or Rogier van der Weyden. I'd place a fairly safe bet, in any case, that Jan Gossaert wouldn't be the one. Fortunately, Gossaert is about to become a far more familiar name, thanks to a new exhibition opening on 23 February at London's National Gallery.

Little is known about the life of Gossaert, who was also referred to by other names, including Jenni Antwerpen, Mabuse and Johannes Malbodius. He was born around 1478, possibly in Maubeuge in present-day France (indicated by the names Mabuse and Malbodius), and died in 1532, probably in Antwerp.

His significance for the development of art cannot be underestimated. As the National Gallery puts it: "Gossaert changed the course of Flemish art, going beyond the tradition of Jan van Eyck and charting new territory that eventually led to the great age of Rubens."

Gossaert was one of the first northern artists to travel to Rome and make copies of Greek and Roman sculptures and monuments, later incorporating them into his own work. He is most often credited with "successfully assimilating Italian Renaissance style into northern European art of the early 16th century", according to New York's Metropolitan Museum, where the Gossaert exhibition was on display before moving to London.

Jan Gossaert's Renaissance include more than 80 works, juxtaposing paintings, drawings and prints with those of his contemporaries to show the artistic milieu in which he was working.

The first clear sign of Gossaert's artistic presence dates from 1503, the year in which he is recorded as having become a master in the painters' guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp. How exactly Gossaert came to accompany Philip of Burgundy on an important diplomatic mission to Pope Julius II is not clear, but that he did so in 1508-1509 is not in doubt. It was during this trip that the artist experienced firsthand the ancient and Renaissance works of Italy.

Works on display at the National Gallery include "The Adoration of the Kings" (1510-1515), pictured, whose perspective and grandeur reflect this Italian influence, mythological paintings commissioned by Philip of Burgundy such as "Venus" (about 1521) and a room full of portraits for which Gossaert was particularly renowned.

If you can't make it to London, there are possibilities to see the artist's work closer to home, including several paintings at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels and "Lady Portrayed as Mary Magdalene" at the Museum Mayer van den Bergh in Antwerp.