Ferrer Bassa

Who is Ferrer Bassa?

Ferrer Bassa was a Catalan Gothic painter and miniaturist.

He was active in the early 14th century, as proved by two documents which attest him working in two chapels at Sitges. Ten years later he worked for Alfonso IV of Aragon, executing miniatures for the manuscripts of the Uses of Barcelona and the Costumes of Catalonia, showing a strong French and Sienese influence. His production increased during the reign of Peter IV of Aragon, especially under royal commissions, such as the Christ and the Virgin in royal chapel of Barcelona.

His main surviving work is the series of wall paintings in the St. Michael Chapel in the Monastery of Pedralbes. It includes some twenty scenes basing on two main themes: the Passion of Christ and the Seven Pains of the Virgin, showing Giottesque influences, as well as from Duccio di Buoninsegna and Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

Also attributed to Bassa are a Coronation of the Virgin in the church of Bellpuig and a St. Bernard in the museum of Vich. His son Arnau was also a painter and collaborated with his father on several works. They both died of plague in 1348.