Meghna, Agnes, Drew
Who is he?
 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
Characteristics

 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
• 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