Hans Memling Meghna, Agnes, Drew
Jan 03, 2016
Born 1430, Mainz, Germany
Served his apprenticeship at Mainz (or
Cologne)
Later worked in the Netherlands under
Rogier van der Weyden
Then went to Bruges, Belgium around
1465 where he died on August 11th,
1494
Last major fifteenth century artist in
the Low Countries
Who is he?
Quiet and serene atmosphere/mood
Natural movements
Compositions based on careful
symmetrical balance
Human figures are of standard type
-They appear tall and
emotionless expression
- Faces are oval, with long narrow
noses and high foreheads
Characteristics
Bright colour choice (almost
Mediterranean)
- Promotes the effect of
space
- Creates a glowing effect
Textural detail of various fabrics
Painted with a lot of detail
requiring great knowledge and
skill
Characteristics
• Standard human figure
-They appear tall and emotionless expression
- Faces are oval, with long narrow noses and high foreheads
• Bright colour choice
-Promotes the effect of space
- Creates a glowing effect
Composition is symmetrically balanced
Two angels holding musical instruments on
either side of Mary and infant Christ
On left, angel offers an orange to child and
plays with him
Child reaches out for the orange while
ruffling the pages of the book with the
other hand. (very natural movement for a
child)
Textural detail of fabrics (rich brocades,
plain/smooth
Gothic sculptures fill the rounded arch
Medieval landscape with castle and church
in the distance
Attitude of acceptance
foreshadows his future
sacrifice on the cross
Angel offering orange (fruit
of redemption) is dressed
in a dalmatic (liturgical
vestment worn by a
deacon during high mass)
Around the arch is a carved
vine of grapes referring to the
wine of the Eucharistic rite
In top left and right corners
stand carvings of David
(ancestor of Christ) and
Isaiah (a prophet who
foretold the virgin birth)
Red is the colour of the
extremes, representing love,
seduction, violence, danger,
anger, as well as adventure
Memling often honored
Madonna by placing an
oriental carpet under her
throne, representing royalty
The castle in the open field
background represents power
and protection
the church in the distance
represents the house of God
and the body of Christ