Art of Fifteenth Century Northern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula - Part 2

Altars and Altarpieces

  • An altar is the central focal point in a Catholic church, where the ritual sacrifice (mass) takes place.
  • Altarpieces serve as a backdrop to the events on the altar.
  • Altarpieces can range from simple diptychs (two-part) to complex polyptychs (multiple panels).
  • Diptychs consist of two panels that fold like a book.
  • Triptychs have three panels.
  • Polyptychs have many panels.
  • Altarpieces exist in both closed and open formats, presenting different imagery.

The Last Judgment by Roger Vanderweiden (1443)

  • The closed format of "The Last Judgement" altarpiece features dark colors, blacks, grays, and earthy tones, with statues that appear to be made of stone.
  • The artist uses trompe l'oeil, a technique to trick the eye, making painted statues appear three-dimensional.
  • Patrons are depicted in the closed format, kneeling and praying.
  • The open format depicts the biblical story of the Last Judgment, with God and the angel Gabriel weighing souls to determine their fate.
  • Souls of the deceased are reunited with their bodies, emerging from the earth.
  • Those deemed worthy enter heaven, while others are cast into hell, their bodies morphing into demonic forms.
  • The altarpiece serves as a visual reminder of the church's beliefs.
  • The altarpiece immortalizes the individuals commissioning the works.

Realism in Flemish Art

  • Realism is the creation of a real space out of two dimensions, creating a window into an imaginary world.
  • Atmospheric perspective is a technique used to create a sense of depth through color, line, and size.
    • Objects closer appear larger, while those further away appear smaller.
    • Lines of objects closer up are sharp, while those further away are fuzzy.
    • Colors of objects up close are bright, while colors fade and mute as they recede into the background.
Hugo van der Goes' Portinari Altarpiece
  • The Portinari family, who commissioned the altarpiece, is included in the painting.
  • Despite being closest to the viewer, the family is depicted smaller to show humility.
  • The altarpiece depicts the nativity, or the birth of Jesus.
  • Jesus is depicted naked on the ground to symbolize humility.
  • Symbols in flowers:
    • Violets: Humility
    • Irises: The Holy Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit)
      • White irises symbolize the purity of the Trinity
      • Blue iris symbolizes the royal bloodline of Jesus
    • Columbines: Sorrows of Mary
    • Red Flower: Symbolic of Christ's blood when he sacrificed himself to save mankind according to Christianity.

Conclusion

  • Art in fifteenth-century Northern Europe used symbolism and realism.
  • Secular symbols brought art to a common level.
  • Atmospheric perspective created a sense of three-dimensionality.
  • Art became more realistic, bringing it to a new level.