Hans Memling

Meghna, Agnes, Drew

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

What characteristics do

you see?

• 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

• Quiet and serene atmosphere/mood

• Textural detail

Memling, Madonna and Child with Angels,

ca1480. Oil on panel

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

The End