ARTH 214 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Hans Memling, Diptych, Bourgeoisie
Document Summary
Many donors would want to put their portraits in commission so that they can leave their mark after they are gone. I(cid:374) the re(cid:374)aissa(cid:374)(cid:272)e you did(cid:374)"t just want to show how you looked, you wanted to show yourself in the best possible way, in the best light, with some sort of symbolism which indicates your best features. Jan crabbe is in the center, he carries a hook which indicates he is a leader of a cistercian abbot, showed in the middle as part of the crucifixion. Memling manages to make this horrific scene seem somewhat beautiful, christ is tortured but he still looks good. Me(cid:373)li(cid:374)g re(cid:374)ders a portrait of cra(cid:271)(cid:271)e"s (cid:373)other o(cid:374) the left (cid:449)i(cid:374)g. On the other side is the portrait of his half brother. The landscape unites all three panels, letting the eye flow from panel to panel. Hans memling, diptych of maarten van nieuwenhove, 1479.