The Early Netherlandish period holds its place in time as one of the most important periods of art history. The progression of Western culture in this era is demonstrated by more relatable depictions of everyday life in art, along with more sophisticated techniques used to show the finer details of these events. Moreover, Early Netherlandish art is fascinating because of how ahead of the Italian Proto Renaissance it is in terms of refinement. Yet by later standards, it is considered to be simple because of the lack of linear perspective among other technical flaws. This era brought with it many new artists that are still appreciated to this day for their ingenuity; one of whom is Flemish painter, Rogier van der Weyden. His massive talent for
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It is clear from the Virgin Mother’s robe continuing onto Jesus’s panel that the two are connected, but scholars observe that, “the striking disparity between the painting's superb quality, colour and completeness viewed first hand and the prevailing scholarly conception of the panels as near-grisaille exteriors of altarpiece shutters, suggesting shop production, or an incomplete triptych”. This observation reveals that Rogier van der Weyden’s Crucifixion, will always remain mysterious as to whom the painting was commissioned for or its exact purpose. It is clear however, that the painting is meant to represent the relationship between Christ and the Virgin mother as they suffer and Saint John’s duty to comfort and bear witness to this …show more content…
Robert Campin, The Merode Altarpiece, Netherlands, Early Netherlandish (1400-1500), oil on wood, is a great piece to compare to The Crucifixion. Both are oil paintings, one a diptych and the other a triptych. Both use a common format and the most common type of paint for the time period. The two paintings also show great detail in the folds of cloth depicted in each scene. Enhanced detail is another common attribute of the era as artists began to learn how to use more complex techniques, along with their strong concern for showing individuals in art as they are in life. This goes hand in hand with the Early Netherlandish ideal of showing religious scenes as moments of everyday life so society could better relate. While both paintings were likely commissioned for religious use, neither appear to cast their stories in an overtly sacred manner. In Campin’s painting, the Annunciation is shown in a more casual setting with the Virgin Mary on the floor of her home reading a book while the Angel Gabriel appears to her. Likewise, Rogier van der Weyden’s painting shows the Virgin Mother and Saint John in ordinary robes, and Jesus’s bodily form is not exaggerated to make him appear superhuman. Each figure in this scene is extremely important to the Christian faith, and yet none of them are exaggerated in form or beauty. Each painting is also very similar in
It is clear from the Virgin Mother’s robe continuing onto Jesus’s panel that the two are connected, but scholars observe that, “the striking disparity between the painting's superb quality, colour and completeness viewed first hand and the prevailing scholarly conception of the panels as near-grisaille exteriors of altarpiece shutters, suggesting shop production, or an incomplete triptych”. This observation reveals that Rogier van der Weyden’s Crucifixion, will always remain mysterious as to whom the painting was commissioned for or its exact purpose. It is clear however, that the painting is meant to represent the relationship between Christ and the Virgin mother as they suffer and Saint John’s duty to comfort and bear witness to this …show more content…
Robert Campin, The Merode Altarpiece, Netherlands, Early Netherlandish (1400-1500), oil on wood, is a great piece to compare to The Crucifixion. Both are oil paintings, one a diptych and the other a triptych. Both use a common format and the most common type of paint for the time period. The two paintings also show great detail in the folds of cloth depicted in each scene. Enhanced detail is another common attribute of the era as artists began to learn how to use more complex techniques, along with their strong concern for showing individuals in art as they are in life. This goes hand in hand with the Early Netherlandish ideal of showing religious scenes as moments of everyday life so society could better relate. While both paintings were likely commissioned for religious use, neither appear to cast their stories in an overtly sacred manner. In Campin’s painting, the Annunciation is shown in a more casual setting with the Virgin Mary on the floor of her home reading a book while the Angel Gabriel appears to her. Likewise, Rogier van der Weyden’s painting shows the Virgin Mother and Saint John in ordinary robes, and Jesus’s bodily form is not exaggerated to make him appear superhuman. Each figure in this scene is extremely important to the Christian faith, and yet none of them are exaggerated in form or beauty. Each painting is also very similar in