The Lesser-Known Artist Who Created the Most Important Painting of his Time
The breathtaking imagery of Rogier van der Weyden
There is a period in art history that stands out as one of the most pictorially lucid and technically assured eras in all of painting.
Early Netherlandish art reached its zenith at about the same time as the Italian Renaissance, yet remains somewhat overshadowed by its more famous cousin in the broader narrative of art history.
Characterised by fiercely detailed and meticulously crafted works, the Northern style flourished in the cosmopolitan trading cities of Bruges, Ghent, Tournai and Brussels — located in present-day Belgium — and dominated European art until the rise of the Italian city states of Florence, Rome and Venice in about 1500.
Among its artists, Rogier van der Weyden is particularly notable for his mastery of technique and innovative compositions. He pushed the boundaries of what was possible in paint, establishing a reputation that spread as far as the Mediterranean and leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of Western art.
