Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 30 works by Simon Bening in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Simon Bening left, the most famous is The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin (1530), in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Close behind it come Landscape with St Jerome (1515) and Self-Portrait (1558). Our catalog holds 30 works by Simon Bening; the gallery has kept the 30 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
Simon Bening produced The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin in 1530. This miniature focuses on the spiritual suffering of the Virgin Mary, specifically the grief experienced throughout her life. The work is held within the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, United States of America.
To gaze upon Simon Bening's Landscape with St Jerome is to step through a portal into the early sixteenth century, a world rendered with meticulous devotion and profound tranquility. This painting, executed in 1515, transcends mere depiction; it is an immersive experience of nature’s enduring peace. The composition immediately draws the eye into a pastoral dreamscape, anchored by the dramatic presence of a large rock formation on the left. This…
The miniature portrait of Simon Bening, created in 1558, is more than just a likeness; it's a meticulously crafted window into the mind and spirit of a master Flemish illuminator. Housed within the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this small panel – measuring a mere 9 x 6 centimeters – belies the profound depth of its artistic statement. Bening, a pivotal figure bridging the late Gothic and early Renaissance traditions, wasn’t…
Within the hushed reverence of the Musée du Louvre in Paris resides a miniature painting that transcends its diminutive size, offering an intimate glimpse into the life and artistic vision of Simon Bening. His “Self-Portrait,” created in 1535, is not merely a likeness; it’s a carefully constructed statement about identity, skill, and the burgeoning humanist ideals of the Renaissance. Measuring just 9 x 7 centimeters on vellum, this work embodies…
The morning air feels crisp and still as a small procession of villagers meanders along a winding path. They move with a rhythmic, steady purpose, their figures silhouetted against a landscape of rolling hills and skeletal trees. A soft, diffused light bathes the scene, suggesting the pale glow of a late winter morning. This is the season of Candlemas, and the flickering light held by the faithful seems to pierce…
To gaze upon this miniature is to enter a rarefied moment of profound spiritual confrontation. The scene captures the biblical narrative of The Temptation of Christ, an episode rich with theological weight and dramatic tension. It is not merely a depiction of temptation, but rather a visual meditation on divine will versus worldly allure. The composition masterfully frames Jesus, steadfast in his resolve, against the seductive whispers of the devil.…
The Pietà is a work by the Netherlandish artist Simon Bening. This miniature was created about 1522. Bening, who was born in Ghent (?) in 1483/84 and died in 1561 in Bruges, captured this sacred scene on a small scale. The image focuses on the heavy, quiet weight of the moment.
In Pentecost by Simon Bening, the composition organizes a multitude of figures within a structured architectural environment. The scene is set inside a space resembling a Gothic cathedral, where the geometry of the building provides a framework for the religious event. This architectural setting functions as a sacred space, grounding the spiritual narrative in a tangible, physical realm. The arrangement of the figures creates a sense of depth through overlapping…
Two distinct biblical narratives occupy these narrow, vertical panels, separated by a gold-colored border. In the left segment, John the Baptist preaches to a gathered assembly near the water's edge, framed by towering, lush green trees that emphasize the verticality of the composition. The right panel depicts the Baptism of Christ, where Jesus stands in the water with hands clasped in prayer while John reaches toward him. A white dove…
The composition is divided into two distinct registers. In the upper, larger scene, a woman identified as St. Gertrude de Nivelles sits within a wooden interior. She wears a black and white habit and a white wimple, with a golden halo encircling her head. Her hands are occupied with a drop spindle, spinning wool. The room is constructed of dark, grained wood, and several small black mice are scattered across…
Adoration of the Magi1520
12
Triptych of Virgin and Child; Saints Catherine and Barbara1520 · Museum of Fine Arts
13
Peter's Denial1527 · Getty Center
14
Christ Washing the Apostles' Feet1527 · Getty Center
15
Portrait of Henry III, Count of Nassau-Breda1550 · Gemäldegalerie
16
Book of Hours1530 · The Met Cloisters
17
Manuscript Leaf with Adoration of the Holy Name, from a Book of Hours1530
18
Henry III, Count of Nassau-Breda and Mencía de Mendoza1531 · Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
19
Scenes from the Creation
20
Penitent St Jerome1515 · Monasterio de San Lorenzo
21
Virgin and ChildMuseum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK)
22
Jesus Among the Doctors1530 · J. Paul Getty Museum
23
The annunciation
24
Gathering twigs
25
The nativity
26
Villagers on Their Way to Church
27
Leaf from the Munich-Montserrat Hours
28
Prayer Book of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg
29
Self-portrait1558
30
Calendar Miniatures from a Book of HoursJ. Paul Getty Museum
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Simon Bening | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 J. Paul Getty Museum |
Los Angeles | 5 | The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, Villagers on Their Way to Church, The Temptation of Christ |
 The Louvre |
Paris | 2 | Landscape with St Jerome, Self-Portrait |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 2 | Self-Portrait, Pietà |
 Getty Center |
Los Angeles | 2 | Peter's Denial, Christ Washing the Apostles' Feet |
 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen |
Rotterdam | 1 | Pentecost |
 Groeningemuseum |
Brugge | 1 | John the Baptist preaching and the Baptism of Christ |
 Carnegie Museum of Art |
Pittsburgh | 1 | St. Gertrude de Nivelles, from the Hours of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg (1490-1545), Archibishop and Elector of Mainz |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Houston | 1 | Triptych of Virgin and Child; Saints Catherine and Barbara |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
To gaze upon Simon Bening's Landscape with St Jerome is to step through a portal into the early sixteenth century, a world rendered with meticulous devotion and profound tranquility. This painting, executed in 1515, transcends mere depiction; it is an immersive experience of nature’s enduring peace. The composition immediately draws the eye into a pastoral dreamscape, anchored by the dramatic presence of a large rock formation on the left. This…
The Pietà is a work by the Netherlandish artist Simon Bening. This miniature was created about 1522. Bening, who was born in Ghent (?) in 1483/84 and died in 1561 in Bruges, captured this sacred scene on a small scale. The image focuses on the heavy, quiet weight of the moment.
Simon Bening produced The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin in 1530. This miniature focuses on the spiritual suffering of the Virgin Mary, specifically the grief experienced throughout her life. The work is held within the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, United States of America.
The miniature portrait of Simon Bening, created in 1558, is more than just a likeness; it's a meticulously crafted window into the mind and spirit of a master Flemish illuminator. Housed within the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this small panel – measuring a mere 9 x 6 centimeters – belies the profound depth of its artistic statement. Bening, a pivotal figure bridging the late Gothic and early Renaissance traditions, wasn’t…
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin (1530), J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Landscape with St Jerome (1515) and Self-Portrait (1558) come next.
47 years old: The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin dates from 1530, and Simon Bening was born in 1483.
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, Landscape with St Jerome, Self-Portrait, Self-Portrait, Villagers on Their Way to Church, The Temptation of Christ, Pietà, Pentecost, John the Baptist preaching and the Baptism of Christ and St. Gertrude de Nivelles, from the Hours of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg (1490-1545), Archibishop and Elector of Mainz. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 30 works by Simon Bening, dated from 1510 to 1558.
Mostly in J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles), The Louvre (Paris) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1530s: 7 of the 30 works on this page were made then, The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin among them.
On this page, the earliest is John the Baptist preaching and the Baptism of Christ (1510) and the latest Self-Portrait (1558).
People (5), Woman (4) and Figures (4), across the 30 works on this page.
Gouache, for 3 of the 30 works on this page.
Northern renaissance and Early netherlandish, judging by the originals on this page.
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin, Villagers on Their Way to Church and The Temptation of Christ: the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles holds 5 of the works on this page.
In the delicate, luminous realm of Flemish illumination, few names resonate with as much prestige as Simon Bening. Often celebrated as the last great master of the Netherlandish tradition, Bening possessed a singular ability to transform tiny vellum surfaces into expansive, breathing landscapes and profound spiritual meditations. His life was deeply rooted in the rich artistic heritage of the Low Countries; born in either Ghent or Antwerp, he likely began his journey within the family workshop under the guidance of his father, the esteemed illuminator Alexander Bening. This lineage provided him with a foundation of technical excellence that would eventually allow him to lead one of the most flourishing workshops in Bruges.
As Bening moved through the artistic hubs of Ghent and Bruges, his reputation grew alongside his mastery of the miniature. By 1508, he had officially joined the Guild of Saint John and Saint Luke in Bruges, a testament to his standing among the professional elite. His career was marked by a seamless transition between the late Gothic sensibilities of his predecessors and the burgeoning nuances of the early Renaissance. This period of artistic evolution is perhaps most poignantly captured in his Self-portrait, a work that serves as much more than a mere likeness. In this miniature, Bening presents himself not simply as a craftsman, but as an intellectual, seated before an easel with spectacles in hand—a symbolic nod to the meticulous observation required by his craft and an alignment with Saint Luke, the patron saint of painters.
The true magic of Bening’s work lies in his capacity to create "miniature worlds" that invite the viewer into a state of quiet contemplation. His Book of Hours serves as a prime example of this devotional artistry, where each page acts as a prayerful jewel intended to remind the faithful of the omnipresence of the divine. Through an exquisite manipulation of light and shadow, Bening achieved a sense of three-dimensionality that defied the small scale of his medium. His technique allowed for a breathtaking level of detail, from the subtle textures of luxurious fabrics to the atmospheric depth of landscapes that seem to stretch far beyond the borders of the page.
Beyond his technical prowess, Bening’s historical significance is found in his role as a bridge between eras. While he maintained the rigorous traditions of the Ghent-Bruges school, his work embraced the new humanistic focus on detail and naturalism. His achievements are reflected in the enduring presence of his works in the world's most prestigious collections, where they continue to offer glimpses into the spiritual and aesthetic soul of the sixteenth century. Through his hands, the ephemeral beauty of illumination reached a pinnacle of perfection, leaving behind a legacy of light, color, and profound devotion.
