Jacob Obrecht was a Flemish composer of the Renaissance born in 1458 in Ghent and died in 1505 in Ferrara. He wrote mainly sacred music including masses and motets. His style was multi-dimensional and an example of the complex counterpoint of the 15th century. He was known for his use of cantus firmus technique in his masses, sometimes dividing source material into short phrases or using retrograde versions of melodies. His most popular work was the Missa Ave regina celorum.