Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

20  INTRODUCING BRUSSELS

Belgian Artists With his studies of bustling
15th-century Bruges, Hans
Belgian art rose to the fore when the region came under Memling (c.1430–94) is
Burgundian rule in the 15th century. Renaissance painters considered the last Flemish
produced strong works in oil, characterized by intricate Primitive. Moving towards the
16th century, landscape artist
detail and lifelike, unidealized portraiture. The quest for Joachim Patinir (c.1480–1524)
realism and clarity of light was heavily influenced by the produced the first European
new Dutch schools of art. Yet, in contrast, Belgium’s second industrial scenes.
golden artistic age, in the 20th century, abandoned reality
for surrealism in the challenging work of artists such as The Brueghel Dynasty
René Magritte. In the early years of the 16th
Belgium is justifiably proud of its long artistic tradi tion. century, Belgian art was
Rubenshuis in Antwerp (see pp124–5) and Brussels’ Musée strongly influenced by the
Wiertz (see p76), Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique Italians. Trained in Rome, Jan
and Musée Magritte (see pp66–71) are fine examples of the Gossaert (c.1478–1532)
respect Belgium shows to its artists’ homes and their works. brought mythological themes
to the art commissioned by
the ruling Dukes of Brabant.
in an ani mated manner. Van But it was the prolific
Eyck is also responsible, with Brueghel family who had the
his brother, for the striking most influence on Flemish art
polyp tych altarpiece Adoration throughout the 16th and 17th
of the Mystic Lamb, displayed in centuries. Pieter Brueghel
Ghent Cathedral (see p112). the Elder (c.1525–69), one
The trademarks of the of the greatest Flemish artists,
Flemish Primitives are a life like settled in Brussels in 1563. His
vitality, enhanced by realism in earthy rustic landscapes of
portraiture, texture of clothes village life, peopled with comic
and furnishings and a clarity of peasants, are a social study
light. The greatest interpreter of medieval life and remain
of the style was Rogier de la his best-known work. Pieter
Pasture (c.1400–64), better Brueghel the Younger (1564–
known as Rogier van der 1636) produced religious
Portrait of Laurent Froimont by Rogier Weyden, the town painter of works such as The Census at
van der Weyden Brussels, who combined van Bethlehem (1610). In contrast,
Eyck’s light and realism with Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568–
The Flemish Primitives work of religious intensity, 1625) painted intricate floral
as in Lamentation (see p70). still lifes with a draped velvet
Art in Brussels and Flanders first Many in Belgium and backdrop, becoming known
attracted European attention across Europe were schooled as “Velvet Brueghel”. His son,
at the end of the Middle Ages. and inspired by his work, Jan Brueghel the Younger
Jan van Eyck (c.1395–1441) is continuing and expanding the (1601–78) also became a court
considered to be responsible new techniques. Dirk Bouts painter in Brussels and a fine
for the major revolution in (1415–75) extended the style. landscape artist of note.
Flemish art. Widely credited as
the cre ator of oil painting, van
Eyck was the first artist to use
the oil medium to fix longer-
lasting glazes and to mix
colour pigments for wood and
canvas. As works could now
be rendered more perm anent,
the innovation spread the
Renaissance fashion for panel
paintings. However, van Eyck
was more than just a practical
innovator, and can be seen as
the forefather of the Flemish
Primitive school with his lively
depictions of human existence The Fall of Icarus by Pieter Brueghel the Elder

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Feature template “UK” LAYER
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Date 3rd August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm