Occasionally, when something seems very familiar you lose sight of what makes it so special: Flemish Masters. From van Eyck to Bruegel sets out to counteract this effect and opens our eyes once again to the revolution that took place in the Low Countries in the 15th and 16th centuries that shaped the course of European art. In 48 lavishly illustrated analyses, Matthias Depoorter explores how painters such as Van Eyck, Van der Weiden, Massys, Bosch, and Bruegel reached unprecedented heights, and are rightfully considered innovators to this day. The defining factor was their perfecting and mastery of the oil painting technique as well as their groundbreaking attention to optical lighting effects. The new technical possibilities offered a different way of looking at the world and ultimately a new way of painting. No less innovative was the level of detail. These painters were thoroughly acquainted with each other’s work—this volume shows the fundamental artistic cross-fertilization. A must-read for anyone who wants to fall in love with the old master- pieces anew. MATTHIAS DEPOORTER (*1980) is a writer and an art historian. He was one of the curators of the seminal exhibition Van Eyck: An Optical Revolution at the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent and coordinated the accompanying scholarly publication.
Matthias Depoorter Libri
Gaspar de Crayer né à Anvers en 1584 et mort à Gand en 1669 fut considéré comme un artiste éminent. avant d'être oublié par le XIXe siècle. Son style pourtant fut comparé par Cornelis de Bie à la splendeur picturale de Rubens et à l'extrême distinction de Van Dyck. L'exposition témoignera de son talent en présentant des ouvres issues de collections prestigieuses. Pour la première fois, on pourra admirer le Portrait de Philippe IV d'Espagne du Metropolitan Museum de New York aux côtés de celui du Palacio de Viana à Madrid.