Orley, Bernard van (1490–1541)

Flemish painter and tapestry designer. Although he probably never visited Italy, Orley, like his rival Jan Gossaert, helped to introduce High Renaissance motifs and styles to Flemish art. His paintings, mainly on religious and mythological subjects, include the altarpiece The Patience of Job (1521, Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels), which reflects the influence of Andrea Mantegna and Raphael.

He made a number of designs for tapestries, such as The Life of Abraham (Hampton Court, London) and Maximilian's Hunts (Louvre, Paris); the latter in particular demonstrates his move from a traditional two-dimensional style of tapestry to one that, imitating Raphael, attempts to create a sense of depth and perspective. He also designed stained-glass windows for the Cathedral of St Gudule, Brussels.

He was born in Brussels and studied with his father, the painter Valentijn Orley. He was appointed court painter to Margaret of Austria in 1518.