Sunday, September 23, 2012

Robert Campin, Merode Altarpiece (1425-1428)


The painting is oil on wood and is a triptych, which means it is a 3 panel painting with the center piece being the largest. The portrait illustrates the angel came to meet Mary at the person's house who is portrayed in left panel. Also the man, in the left panel, paid that artist to incorporate him in the portrait. It is an oil painting, which was a newly adapted technique during that time period. Oil painting helps create a lot of detail and almost makes it look like a photograph because it allows a painter to include variety of dark and light shades of color showing the depth of a painting making it look exactly like a photograph. However, this painting is not hundred percent photorealism because the table was slanted upwards. If table existed in reality then everything would slide off the table. The Right panel shows a man building two mousetraps and oblivious to the arrival of an angel. The names of the couple in the left panel are significant because it means angel bringer. 

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