The Art of Roger van der Weyden

Roger van der Weyden (1400 – 1464) was one of the leading Flemish Old Masters of the Northern Renaissance during the 15th century, contemporary to Jan van Eyck. He was best known for his colorful triptychs and diptychs panel paintings, mainly on religious subjects.

 
(Weyden, Roger van der. The Deposition (Descent from the Cross). c. 1435. oil on panel. Museo del Prado, Madrid.)

Born in Tournai, Belgium in 1400. His father worked as a knife manufacturer. Little is known about Weyden's life. Although, it is believed he was also known as 'Rogelet de la Pasture.'

 
(Weyden, Roger van der. Isabella of Portugual. c. 1500. oil on panel. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.)

Weyden completed an apprenticeship under Robert Campin in Tournai, Holland. Records show that Rogelet de la Pasture obtained his title of Master Painter in 1427.

 
(Weyden, Roger van der. Portrait of a Lady. c. 1455. oil on panel. National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.)

Following his apprenticeship, he moved to Brussels and was appointed painter to the city around 1436. He did not sign or document his works, so it is difficult to tell how many paintings he produced but, it is clear that by 1436 he was already quite wealthy and obviously successful.

 
(Weyden, Roger van der. The Dream of Pope Sergius. c. 1437-40. oil on panel. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles.)

The Deposition painted in 1435 is Weyden's most famous work. It is characterized by realism, rich color, and a dramatic style. The action has the quality of a relief set against a flat background and conveys deep spirituality and empathy. The pose of the swooning Mary repeats that of the dead Christ. Groups of three figures balance either side, while John the Baptist's read robe counters Joseph of Arimathea's gold brocade.

 
(Weyden, Roger van der. Annunciation Triptych (Center Panel). c. 1440. oil on panel. Louvre, Paris.)

Weyden was very famous during his lifetime although after his death in 1464 his name gradually faded from view. It was only in the 20th century that his reputation regained its 15th-century status and his work is much appreciated here! 

Enjoy! :) 

Reference: Encyclopedia of Irish and World Art

The Art of Hieronymus Bosch

Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516) was born to a family of artists in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, from which his name was derived and where he worked all of his life. Although some of his paintings are fairly traditional, he also created pictures that rank among the most powerful imaginative fantasy scenes in the history of art.

 
(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights.
c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Left Panel]
c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Middle Panel] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Middle Panel Detail] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Middle Panel Detail] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Right Panel] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Right Panel Detail] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Garden of Earthly Delights. [Right Panel Detail] c. 1500. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)
His paintings depict a weird world full of grotesque and horrifying creatures, giving vivid form to the fear of Hell that haunted the medieval minds of that time.

 
(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Last Judgment. c. 1500. oil on panel.
Akademie der Bildenden Kunste, Vienna.)

Little is known of Bosch’s life because his work is so compellingly strange it has prompted ideas that he was involved with witchcraft or heresy. However, all the contemporary evidence suggests that he was a devout Christian as well as a respected and successful citizen of the prosperous provincial town where he evidently spent all his life.

 
(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Ship of Fools.
c. 1490-1500. oil on panel. Louvre, Paris.)

His work was popular and influential (for example on Bruegel) during the 16th century, but then long forgotten. Since his rediscovery, in the early 20th century he has continued to fascinate and perplex viewers.

 
(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Seven Deadly Sins.
c. 1480-90. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

(Bosch, Hieronymus. The Seven Deadly Sins. [Detail] c. 1480-90. oil on panel. Prado, Madrid.)

His work once rediscovered influenced the famous artists of the surrealist movement, especially the work of Salvador Dali. His wild imagination combined with his attention to detail and his realistic figures is unparalleled and his work is much appreciated here! 

Enjoy :) 

Reference: King, R. Art. New York: DK Publishing, 2008.