I had to pause the video to appreciate the "Cope of the Virgin." Just gorgeous. I couldn't believe it was made from fabric. I love Gabriel in this - his multicolor wings, his soft, glowing curls, the beautiful blue and white robe.. When Dr. Harris made that comment about the inaccurate perspective on the table, it led to an interesting mental exercise of shifting views of an object to change its perspective. I don't tend to think of things that way, so it was nice to flex that muscle.
This is a nice introduction to this painting. And what a painting. So many interesting elements, but for me the one startling object is the snuffed out candle. Besides the obvious appreciation for its heightened realism, it's the symbolism that I'm most interested in. In Campin's 'The Virgin with Child Before a Firescreen' we know that the little flickering flames peeping out from behind the firescreen represents God. Similarly, in van Eyck's 'Arnolfini Double Portrait', the one and only candle sitting lit in the ornate copper chandelier represents God. We now have this painting where the candle is snuffed out... surely this is unusual? Or perhaps the smoke from the recently extinguished flame is another representation of the Holy Ghost, where smoke could bear some resemblance to the spectre form.
One of the earliest three-dimensional paintings in history. It was completely uncharted territory at that time, and Robert Campin created this revolutionary masterpiece while the International Gothic's so-called "primitives" dominated everywhere in Europe. The combination of these hyper realistic "everyday life" details and Christian narratives is just outstanding. Art that calls for eternity and still based on the variety and beauty of the world.
Les fenêtres ouvertes sur le quotidien d'une ville flamande d'il y a 600 ans sont fascinantes. Sur le volet de droite (St Joseph), on voit, dans la rue, la neige qui commence tout juste de tomber (minuscules flocons) et ourle déjà les créneaux et pignons des bâtiments représentés. Une des toutes premières représentations de la neige dans un paysage occidental (allusion à Marie immaculée où, simplement au temps de l'Avent et à la fête de Noël).
The figure gliding through the window was the incarnation of Christ, see he is holding his cross, while the object on Joseph's table was a carpenter's plane. Just a little comment. Thanks for the Great Video guys!😊
The most interesting objects to me are the books. In an Annunciation, the Archangel typically interrupts Mary while she is reading. What is interesting here is the care which is taken to avoid spoiling the books, they are evidently precious belongings. Mary keeps the book she is reading through a cloth, probably not to stain it with her fingerprints, just like we would do while wearing white cotton gloves for the manipulation of ancient documents. The other book is on the table and one can see the cloth case in which the books are kept when not in use.
Amazing observation. One detailing they missed is small Lion on all four side of that wooden made table in which Mary is sitting. Many countries in Europe has lion in their national flag but there's no lion currently survive in entire Europe.
I never recognized that strange wood on the ceiling of Joseph's workshop as shutters before. And this from someone who often contemplates this work at the Cloisters for long minutes at a time.
2:04 If "on spec" means "on specifications" it is actually the opposite, it means the painting is made according to the desires of the commissioner. I know that in English it is used as "before finding a buyer" but this contrasts with the meaning of the term in all other trades (such as tailoring or any industrial activity). The correct term for a work painted before finding a buyer is "paint for the market".
Fascinating analysis. I would like to know if the pattern in the flower vase contains script (possibly read from the left vertically). Could it be Hebrew? It certainly looks like it. Alternatively (but less likely) it could be Greek/Byzantine. Any comments?
As I remember, the forms you see on the vase are what is known as pseudo script. Pseudo script was by this time a long standing tradition where the general shapes of Hebrew, Arabic, and other ancient or eastern scripts were mimicked to make reference to the Holy Land and the time of Christ's birth or just the wealth and luxury of the east. Pseudo script developed into a decorative form all its own.
What did the original artist's use for a model when they were painting these pieces ? Are there any charcoal sketches saved that go with the paintings ? Or was it just painted by memory/imagination ?
That is what is referred to as pseudo script. It is meant to look like Hebrew or Arabic but is neither. It doesn't actually say anything. It was a way for artists in Western Europe to reference Eastern Mediterranean cultures and is often depicted on luxury goods such as this porcelain pitcher or on expensive fabrics or carpets.
Thank you guys so much for saving me, I just wrote an 800 word final essay and watched this video about 20 times
I had to pause the video to appreciate the "Cope of the Virgin." Just gorgeous. I couldn't believe it was made from fabric.
I love Gabriel in this - his multicolor wings, his soft, glowing curls, the beautiful blue and white robe..
When Dr. Harris made that comment about the inaccurate perspective on the table, it led to an interesting mental exercise of shifting views of an object to change its perspective. I don't tend to think of things that way, so it was nice to flex that muscle.
This is a nice introduction to this painting. And what a painting. So many interesting elements, but for me the one startling object is the snuffed out candle. Besides the obvious appreciation for its heightened realism, it's the symbolism that I'm most interested in. In Campin's 'The Virgin with Child Before a Firescreen' we know that the little flickering flames peeping out from behind the firescreen represents God. Similarly, in van Eyck's 'Arnolfini Double Portrait', the one and only candle sitting lit in the ornate copper chandelier represents God. We now have this painting where the candle is snuffed out... surely this is unusual? Or perhaps the smoke from the recently extinguished flame is another representation of the Holy Ghost, where smoke could bear some resemblance to the spectre form.
I love the hushed tones of the narrators. They sound like golf announcers.
it's like being in the museum with them, it's very cool
One of the earliest three-dimensional paintings in history. It was completely uncharted territory at that time, and Robert Campin created this revolutionary masterpiece while the International Gothic's so-called "primitives" dominated everywhere in Europe. The combination of these hyper realistic "everyday life" details and Christian narratives is just outstanding. Art that calls for eternity and still based on the variety and beauty of the world.
merci pour toutes ces images c est fantastic
Another lovely video.
thank you for your incitefullness to theses paintings
I love the size and portability "the distortion of space work well" I agree
I don't agree
Another astounding analysis thanks!
Les fenêtres ouvertes sur le quotidien d'une ville flamande d'il y a 600 ans sont fascinantes. Sur le volet de droite (St Joseph), on voit, dans la rue, la neige qui commence tout juste de tomber (minuscules flocons) et ourle déjà les créneaux et pignons des bâtiments représentés. Une des toutes premières représentations de la neige dans un paysage occidental (allusion à Marie immaculée où, simplement au temps de l'Avent et à la fête de Noël).
The figure gliding through the window was the incarnation of Christ, see he is holding his cross, while the object on Joseph's table was a carpenter's plane. Just a little comment. Thanks for the Great Video guys!😊
another great comment for a great painting!
thanks!
The most interesting objects to me are the books. In an Annunciation, the Archangel typically interrupts Mary while she is reading. What is interesting here is the care which is taken to avoid spoiling the books, they are evidently precious belongings. Mary keeps the book she is reading through a cloth, probably not to stain it with her fingerprints, just like we would do while wearing white cotton gloves for the manipulation of ancient documents. The other book is on the table and one can see the cloth case in which the books are kept when not in use.
Amazing observation. One detailing they missed is small Lion on all four side of that wooden made table in which Mary is sitting. Many countries in Europe has lion in their national flag but there's no lion currently survive in entire Europe.
very very enlightening indeed
I never recognized that strange wood on the ceiling of Joseph's workshop as shutters before. And this from someone who often contemplates this work at the Cloisters for long minutes at a time.
2:04 If "on spec" means "on specifications" it is actually the opposite, it means the painting is made according to the desires of the commissioner. I know that in English it is used as "before finding a buyer" but this contrasts with the meaning of the term in all other trades (such as tailoring or any industrial activity). The correct term for a work painted before finding a buyer is "paint for the market".
On speculation
Fascinating analysis. I would like to know if the pattern in the flower vase contains script (possibly read from the left vertically). Could it be Hebrew? It certainly looks like it. Alternatively (but less likely) it could be Greek/Byzantine. Any comments?
As I remember, the forms you see on the vase are what is known as pseudo script. Pseudo script was by this time a long standing tradition where the general shapes of Hebrew, Arabic, and other ancient or eastern scripts were mimicked to make reference to the Holy Land and the time of Christ's birth or just the wealth and luxury of the east. Pseudo script developed into a decorative form all its own.
@@smarthistory-art-history Very interesting!!!! Thank you
Exquisite
What did the original artist's use for a model when they were painting these pieces ? Are there any charcoal sketches saved that go with the paintings ? Or was it just painted by memory/imagination ?
What does the inscription on the blue and white vase mean?
That is what is referred to as pseudo script. It is meant to look like Hebrew or Arabic but is neither. It doesn't actually say anything. It was a way for artists in Western Europe to reference Eastern Mediterranean cultures and is often depicted on luxury goods such as this porcelain pitcher or on expensive fabrics or carpets.
Excellent analysis, but not knowing what that noise was around 8:24 is driving me a little nuts.
Sounded like someone sniffling
They're in the gallery speaking about the painting while others are in the gallery
Jk
It is too natural......lots of things to symblisis the god
I see none of that. I see wisdom.
This is a labyrinthine ?!!! ☻😕🤔🤕🤒
A labyrinth is similar to a maze, and while this painting is dense with detail and symbols, labyrinth may not be the ideal word.