ART 235: Pre-Modern Art History

Keenly anticipated by art historians throughout the world, this comprehensive study is dedicated to the work of Robert Campin, who, along with van Eyck, is considered the founder of the Netherlandish school of painting of the Early Renaissance.

This book focuses on thoughtfully selected major works by the most important of the artists who were later--and rather misleadingly--dubbed the Flemish Primitives: Robert Campin (the Master of Flémalle), Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Petrus Christus, Dieric Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, Hans Memling, and Gerard David. Their new system of painting in transparent layers yielded colors of a saturation and depth never before seen and imbued their sensual human forms with a stunning luminosity. They developed new symbolic associations, experimented with light, and expressed the cultural changes taking place around them, including a heightened spirituality and the emergence of a wealthy bourgeoisie.

Created in an age of faith, the polyptychs chosen for this volume are all altarpieces, works that came into being in response to changes in the Roman Catholic liturgy decreed as far back as 1274 at the Council of Lyons. The polyptych form had been evolving for well over a century, but it came into full flower only in the late 14th century and throughout the 15th, bringing the Late Gothic era to its final burst of glory and launching the Renaissance both in Northern Europe and in the Mediterranean countries.

In 15th century Flanders and Burgundy, Robert Campin, Jan Van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden invented the bases of a new pictorial style. This book offers an introduction to their work, and at the work of those who followed in their tradition.