FILE: 09_Merode Altarpiece_Campin.jpg

TITLE: Merode Altarpiece by Robert Campin - N. RENAISSANCE

DESCRIPTION: By Flemish artist Robert Campin, a wood panel painter. TRYPTICH w/ ANNUNCIATION THEME. Naturalistic style. Oil on wood panel. Never signed panels, only frame. EARLY FLEMISH PAINTING ACHIEVEMENT: Narrative and volumetric figures with shadows and hilites. ICONOGRAPHY in CENTER: 1.Annunciation, Angel & pregnant Mary. 2.Book leaves blowing and candle blown out c/o Christ is coming in thru window on beam of lite. 3.White towel = purity. 4. Water pot = vessel, a symbol of Mary's function as a "vessel." RIGHT PANEL: Joseph's workshop. 1.Mousetraps = St. Augustine's writings say Christ was "bait" to trap Satan. LEFT PANEL:Donors on knees in garden. 1.Roses=symbol of Mary (and of Venus) 2.Fellow inside open door=self portrait of Campin.