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Thread: Rogier van der Weyden (1399/1400-1464) was one of the most famous & respected Early Netherlandish painters of his time. He was forgotten until the 19th century & is now ranked with Van Eyck & Robert Campin in importance. 
He was born in Tournai (Belgium), the son of a cutler. Young Man (1430s), St George & the Dragon (c1432-5) & Virgin & Child (1433).
In 1425 the artist married Elisabeth, the daughter of a Brussels cobbler. Together they had 4 children & lived in Brussels (c1435). Annunciation (c1434) & Deposition (1435). In the 15th century art was about religious works & portraits.
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His success was such that he became the official painter to the town of Brussels. At the time it was an important residence for the Dukes of Burgundy. Portrait of a Young Man (c1435) & St Luke Drawing the Virgin (1435) & Diptych (1440)
We know little of van der Weyden’s training but it’s believed he may have studied under Campin for some time. Portrait of a Man (1440s), Young Woman (1440s) & Bladelin Triptych (1445-50)
Crucifixion (1445), Philippe III le Bon, Duc de Bourgogne (c1445) & St Joseph (1445). A common feature of religious works was the inclusion of the donor of the painting to the religious establishment. These are fascinating images of N Europeans from almost 600y ago.
In the case of van der Weyden there are a number of his works which have been cut down from larger panels. We don’t know why that is. The Magdalene Reading (1445), Visitation (1445) & The Last Judgement (details, 1446-52)
The Last Judgement (1446-52) is one of van der Weyden’s great dramatic works. The detail, passion & emotions must have amazed & stunned contemporary viewers (details). They are a strong reminder of the love of extreme expression in N European art.
Hell & Heaven were really palpable to medieval people. A simple scratch could kill, a rotten tooth torture for years & Child death really common. Plague was lethal & widespread. The constant threat of death, suffering & pain highlighted the paradise of Heaven & fear of Hell
The Braque Family Triptych (1450) shows two donors (who commissioned the work) with Jesus blessing in the centre. On either side are the saints chosen as special interveners on the couple’s behalf with Christ.
Entombment of Christ (1450), Isabella of Portugal (attrib, c1450) & Pietà (1450). Van der Weyden must have run a workshop with students closely copying the style of the master. His fame was international & it’s believed he went to Italy in 1449.
Van der Weyden was one of the most famous artists of his time & patrons included the French Royal Family, the Dukes of Burgundy & the Medici. Jean de Gros & Virgin & Child Diptych (1450s) & Portrait (1450)
The artist’s painting of St Ivo is so realistic that it is clearly based on a living person. It’s possible it could have been one of his assistants or students. I love his Jerome & the strangely human lion. Philip the Good (1450), St Ivo (1450) & St Jerome & the Lion (1450)
St Luke Drawing the Virgin (1450) was a popular subject for Renaissance artists. Indeed associations & guilds of artists across Europe were often named for the Saint & his associated blessing as well as prestige as the first sainted artist.
Unusually a number of the artist’s drawings survive. These were done as patterns for paintings (cartoons) & would sometimes be used again & again or by students. St Mary Magdalene (1450s), Virgin (1450-5) & Head of the Madonna (1460)
Van der Weyden’s Portrait of a Lady is perhaps his most famous work. The image of a beautiful upper class woman in her elaborate head gear is breathtakingly beautiful. Portrait of a Lady (1455), Man (1455-60) & Virgin & Child (after 1454)
St Columba Altarpiece (1455) was painted for the Cathedral dedicated to the Irish missionary in Cologne. The work is full of incident. Van der Weyden was particularly adept at depicting emotion, texture & incident.
St John Altarpiece (1455-60) was commissioned by an Italian merchant in the Low Countries for St James’ Church in Bruges. Although it looks like a Triptych (a three part foldable ensemble) it was actually designed to have the three parts on display.
His Crucifixion is a magnificent example of the use of compositional balance & emotion. Arguably it is his greatest work. Crucifixion Diptych (1460), Francesco d’Este (1460) & Laurent Froimont (1460s)
The artist was admired for his almost photographic ability to paint a likeness & present his sitters in a good light - thus his popularity with international courts. Philippe de Croy (1460), A Lady (c1460) & Charles the Bold (1460)
The artist died in June 1464 & is buried in Brussels. Antony of Burgundy (1461), A Woman (1464) & Virgin & Child (nd). The artist is one of my favourites. Do search out his work!
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