1. 14 th Century (quick timeline reference leading up to the Art of Flanders – 15 th Century) Byzantine Style (330-1453): –Constantine recognized Christianity as the official religion –At the Fall of Rome – arrangements were made to divide the Western half (ruled from Rome) and the Eastern half (ruled from Byzantium – later named Constantinople after Constantine) –Western half fell to barbarian Dark Ages –Eastern art flourished with Christian art – creating a new set of Christian images and icons (derived though from Greek and Egyptian Art techniques) –Orthodox Christianity flourished during this time –Byzantine Style PANEL PAINTINGS: Panel painting originally began as a small-scale devotional icon carried and owned by the many. Progressed to multi-paneled, hung above an altar called an ALTARPIECE.

2. Byzantine Style PANEL PAINTINGS –Encaustic Style – using hot beeswax combined with pigments to apply to surface. –Tempera – another form of painting using egg yolk blended with water, pigments, & occasionally other materials such as glue. 14 th century material of choice, velvety sheen – but results in premature cracking & flaking –Fresco –pigments mixed with water then applied directly onto freshly laid lime-plaster surface. –Others in a variety of media, such as marble, ivory, mosaic, gemstone, precious metal, and enamel.

3. OTHER HISTORICAL FACTS LEADING TO THE ART OF FLANDERS Late Middle Ages: The Black Death (plague) killed about a 1/3 of Europeans between 1347 and 1350. Scholasticism - philosophy that promoted joining faith to reason. –Universities founded

4. (today’s Belgium and Northern France) 15 th Century

5. Flemish Artists Leading Northern center for painting 15th cent. Bruges - largest seaport town, commercial power of North Guilds - painters in Guild of Saint Luke –Potions class with Professor Snape (secret society) –Civic groups, town councils, and wealthy merchants commissioned work.

6. First Generation Panel Painters Painted wood panel (oak) inspired by Flemish illuminated manuscripts. Window vantage point (began in Florence – but we are discussing Flanders – Northern Renaissance) http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/global-site-search- page.html?searchterm=masters%20of%20illusion&sea rchpath=%2Fcontent%2Fngaweb%2Fglobal-site- search- page&category=Audio%2FVideo&pageNumber=1&last Facet=categoryhttp://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/global-site-search- page.html?searchterm=masters%20of%20illusion&sea rchpath=%2Fcontent%2Fngaweb%2Fglobal-site- search- page&category=Audio%2FVideo&pageNumber=1&last Facet=category 15th century painters = exquisite detail = intro of Oil Painting

7. NEW TECHNIQUES OF PAINTING IN THE 15 TH CENTURY Accurate details Symbolism Oil painting –Glazing: Transparent layers built up with oil & varnish Light bounces through layers to white surface and back to viewer –Slow drying allowing rework of areas & blending pigments on the surface Allowed long brush strokes –Created deep intense tonality of color –Shadows & Highlights giving more 3-dimensional reality

8. Robert Campin Mérode Altarpiece, 1425-28, oil on wood panel Also known as the Annunciation Triptych Triptych (3 panels) with window vantage point. Exploits middleclass objects with religious undertones.

9. Left Panel: Rosebuds = Virgin/Passion Couple are the donors. Are depicted next to the Annunciation but gaze seems distant. Flemish artist trick to allow donors to appear next to religious scenes.

10. Lilies = purity, virginity, a traditional element of Annunciation White towel + hanging (Jewish Religion) Water pot = Mary’s purity Christ’s child bearing the cross She is the Virgin in prayer just before: receiving news from Angel Gabriel Candle’s flame burnt out: symbol of incarnation

11. Right Panel: Joseph as a carpenter Mousetrap = catching Satan (Christ’s bait)

12. Jan van Eyck Annunciation Official in the court of Duke of Burgundy Painted with oil glazes - transparent layers built up with oil and varnish

14. Take two minutes to compare and contrast Jan van Eyck’s Annunciation to the center panel of Robert Campin’s Mérode Altarpiece. What is similar what is different?

16. Doves = Holy Spirit White lilies = Mary (purity, virginity) Zodiac signs = Annunciation, March 25 Stained-glass windows = Holy Trinity