Jan Joest

Jan Joest van Calcar (c. 1450/60 – 1519) was a Netherlandish painter of the late Middle Ages, also known as Jan Joesten van Calcar. He is most famous for his altarpiece in the St. Nicholas Church in Kalkar, Germany.

Little is definitively known about his life. He is believed to have been born in Kalkar, near the Lower Rhine, and his active period spanned from around 1480 to 1519. Some scholars suggest he may have traveled and worked in other regions, including Italy. There is speculation that he might be identical to Joos van Cleve, a later artist with similar stylistic traits, but this remains a matter of debate and is not widely accepted.

Joest's artistic style is characterized by its realism, delicate use of color, and attention to detail. His figures are often depicted with expressive faces and naturalistic gestures. The Kalkar altarpiece, a monumental work with numerous panels depicting scenes from the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin, showcases these qualities. It is considered a masterpiece of late Gothic art in the Lower Rhine region.

After completing the Kalkar altarpiece in 1519, Joest disappears from historical records. It is assumed he died shortly thereafter. Despite the lack of biographical information, his artistic legacy endures through his surviving works, particularly the altarpiece that cemented his reputation as a significant artist of his time.