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Hans Memling
Hans Memling was one of the greatest artists working in northern Europe in the late medieval period. He made his home and his name in the city of Bruges, Belgium, where he lived and worked for almost 30 years. Often described as a Flemish Primitive, he almost singlehandedly transformed Bruges into the most prestigious location for northern European artists and craftsmen working at that time. Memling developed what became known as the Bruges Style, celebrated for its quiet perfection, refinement, and sophisticated compositions.
Although filled with people, his works are largely static, always meticulously arranged narrative compositions presented in unvarying light. Symmetry plays an important part in his paintings, which glow with color and are distinguished from earlier medieval works by their lack of gold leaf and silver paint. The Madonna became something of a specialty for Memling and he always presents her as a serenely idealized figure completely untroubled by reality or events around her. As well as his main devotional subjects and portraits of the rich, Memling painted the Virgin and child time and again and remarkably about 15 different individual paintings survive.
Although filled with people, his works are largely static, always meticulously arranged narrative compositions presented in unvarying light. Symmetry plays an important part in his paintings, which glow with color and are distinguished from earlier medieval works by their lack of gold leaf and silver paint. The Madonna became something of a specialty for Memling and he always presents her as a serenely idealized figure completely untroubled by reality or events around her. As well as his main devotional subjects and portraits of the rich, Memling painted the Virgin and child time and again and remarkably about 15 different individual paintings survive.
- GenresArt
95 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2013
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About the author
Sandra Forty
91 books6 followersSandra Forty is a graduate of London University where she studied medieval and early modern history, including a spell at the Courtald Institute learning about Renaissance art from Professor Gombrich.
Since then she has worked as a journalist in London, then as a book editor and writer.
She is the author of a number of books, most on art and architecture.
Since then she has worked as a journalist in London, then as a book editor and writer.
She is the author of a number of books, most on art and architecture.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 1, 2024
A nice little book of some of the greatest art in existence.
It is, however, let down by a number of really appallingly printed plates (Passion of Christ, Triptych of the Resurrection, Altar of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, Maarten van Nieuwenhove Diptych, Music Making Angels Triptych, The Donne Triptych, to name just a few). So, a patchy publication, and the boldness of some assertions made, such as regarding Memling's absence from the Bruges painter's guild as evidence that he potentially enjoyed some sort of protected position from his employer Charles the Bold, without offering the more likely (and more widely believed within modern scholarship) prospect that documentation has simply been lost, isn't entirely helpful.
But overall the writing is good, and there are enough really nicely produced plates to make it worth a place on the shelf.
It is, however, let down by a number of really appallingly printed plates (Passion of Christ, Triptych of the Resurrection, Altar of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, Maarten van Nieuwenhove Diptych, Music Making Angels Triptych, The Donne Triptych, to name just a few). So, a patchy publication, and the boldness of some assertions made, such as regarding Memling's absence from the Bruges painter's guild as evidence that he potentially enjoyed some sort of protected position from his employer Charles the Bold, without offering the more likely (and more widely believed within modern scholarship) prospect that documentation has simply been lost, isn't entirely helpful.
But overall the writing is good, and there are enough really nicely produced plates to make it worth a place on the shelf.
March 11, 2020
wow, Hans Memling. Karyanya menjadi referensi untuk saya.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews