Flemish Painting Part.I

During the first half of the 15^th century, Flanders was the setting for a revolution in the history of painting. It was at this time that Flemish painters attained the highest degree of perfection in the realistic representation of objects. Their work fundamentally changed the aesthetic values of the time. We have learnt much about the special techniques they developed, but certain things will probably never be known.

In the 15^th century, the Dukes of Burgundy were among the greatest patrons of art on Europe. The court of Burgundy employed artists from all parts of the lands ruled by the duchy, including Flanders, which had been a part of Burgundy since1385. there, in the windswept north, a major artistic change took place which left a permanent mark on painting. How did this pioneering style develop?

Jan van Eyck is rightly considered to be the father of Flemish painting; some critics even refer to the so called Eyck Miracle. But other artists, such as the Master of Flemalle Rogier van der Weyden, Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes and Hans Memling, all made important contributions to the new Flemish school of paininting. These artists led the way from the stiff, formalized style of the Gothic era to the more naturalist style of the Renaissance.