Rogier Van Der Weyden (English)

1. Nativity. The Adoration of the Magi. Purification, by Hans Memling (1470-1472)Hans Memling apprenticed as a painter in Van der Weyden's workshop

True

False

The Flemish artist Hans Memling probably lived in Brussels in the house of Rogier van der Weyden. Most likely, it was after coming back from Italy in 1450 when Hans Memling stayed in Van der Weyden’s workshop until the master’s death in 1464.

Explanation

The Flemish artist Hans Memling probably lived in Brussels in the house of Rogier van der Weyden. Most likely, it was after coming back from Italy in 1450 when Hans Memling stayed in Van der Weyden’s workshop until the master’s death in 1464.

2. Detail: Descent from the Cross (before 1443)Van der Weyden was appointed as official painter of Brussels

True

False

On April 21st 1435, Van der Weyden settled in Brussels with his wife and his two children. In may 1436 he was already the official painter of the city, even if it was a personal position which was supposed to end at his death (when the time came though, this was not carried out).

Explanation

On April 21st 1435, Van der Weyden settled in Brussels with his wife and his two children. In may 1436 he was already the official painter of the city, even if it was a personal position which was supposed to end at his death (when the time came though, this was not carried out).

3. Detail: Pietá (1440-1450)Van der Weyden used to always sign and date his works

True

False

No signed artwork by Rogier van der Weyden is known and it is likely that he never signed any.

Explanation

No signed artwork by Rogier van der Weyden is known and it is likely that he never signed any.

4. Detail: Descent from the Cross (before 1443)In Van der Weyden's artworks, what stands out is...

The expressionless characters

The volume of the figures depicted and the attention to detail

The aerial perspective

The little technical quality

Van der Weyden painted all details in a very accurate way, such as tears, blood or the threads used to knit or sew the fabrics together. His works also comprise sculptural references: in the Descent from the Cross, the figures in a golden box remind us of sculptures with polychromatic paint carved in wood or stone.

Explanation

Van der Weyden painted all details in a very accurate way, such as tears, blood or the threads used to knit or sew the fabrics together. His works also comprise sculptural references: in the Descent from the Cross, the figures in a golden box remind us of sculptures with polychromatic paint carved in wood or stone.

5. Detail: Pietá (1440-1450)Van der Weyden began his apprenticeship...

In the family workshop, with his father Henri de le Pasture

In the workshop of the Flemish artist Robert Campin

With Leonardo da Vinci

Alone. He was an autodidact

Van der Weyden was the son of Henri de le Pasture, a prosperous knife manufacturer in Tournai. He presumably began his apprenticeship between 1410 and 1420 in Robert Campin’s workshop, who was the main artist in the city of Tournai.

Explanation

Van der Weyden was the son of Henri de le Pasture, a prosperous knife manufacturer in Tournai. He presumably began his apprenticeship between 1410 and 1420 in Robert Campin’s workshop, who was the main artist in the city of Tournai.

6. Detail: Descent from the Cross (before 1443)The name Van der Weyden comes from:

The translation of his French name, Rogier de le Pasture

A family nickname

The Flemish translation of the artist’s profession

His place of origin

When he moved to Brussels, he translated his name, Rogier de le Pasture, to Flemish, Rogier van der Weyden.

Explanation

When he moved to Brussels, he translated his name, Rogier de le Pasture, to Flemish, Rogier van der Weyden.

7. Adoration of the Kings (1460-1470). Copy after an original by Van der WeydenThroughout his life, Van der Weyden...

Never had a workshop of this own

Had only one workshop in his city of origin, Tournai

Had only one workshop in the city where he resided, Brussels

Had two workshops, one in Tournai and another one in Brussels

Throughout his life, Van der Weyden had one workshop in Tournai, the city where he was born, and another one in Brussels, where he had his permanent residence. Around 1443, the workshop in Brussels, located in Gold Street, used to occupy two adjacent houses.

Explanation

Throughout his life, Van der Weyden had one workshop in Tournai, the city where he was born, and another one in Brussels, where he had his permanent residence. Around 1443, the workshop in Brussels, located in Gold Street, used to occupy two adjacent houses.

8. Descent from the Cross (before 1443)Which of these elements in the Descent from the Cross refers to the commissioners of the painting?

A pot of ointment

An inscription

Crossbows

A scull

The "Descent from the Cross" was commissioned by the Guild of Crossbowsmen for the chapel of Our Lady of Leuven. This is why there are two little crossbows hanging from the tracery in the two upper corners of the panel.

Explanation

The "Descent from the Cross" was commissioned by the Guild of Crossbowsmen for the chapel of Our Lady of Leuven. This is why there are two little crossbows hanging from the tracery in the two upper corners of the panel.

9. Detail: Descent from the Cross (before 1443)How did the Descent from the Cross by Van der Weyden arrive to Spain?

It was a diplomatic gift from the ambassadors to the Catholic Kings

The painting was commissioned by Isabella I of Castile

Charles V received it as an inheritance

Philip II of Spain received it as an inheritance

The panel was purchased by Mary of Hungary in the 16th century and her nephew Philip II received it afterwards. He placed it in the chapel of the Palacio de El Prado, until it was moved to El Escorial in 1574.

Explanation

The panel was purchased by Mary of Hungary in the 16th century and her nephew Philip II received it afterwards. He placed it in the chapel of the Palacio de El Prado, until it was moved to El Escorial in 1574.

10. The Virgin and the Child (1435-1438)Rogier van der Weyden was born in 1399 in:

Brussels

Antwerp

Tournai

Bruges

Van der Weyden was born around 1399 in Tournai, one of the main cities of France back then, but comprised within the ducal territories of Burgundy.

Explanation

Van der Weyden was born around 1399 in Tournai, one of the main cities of France back then, but comprised within the ducal territories of Burgundy.