The Madonna of Chancellor Rolin by Jan van Eyck (1435)

This post is hat tip to hels. 😎

Spectacular masterpiece at the Louvre.

It shows the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child and the Chancellor Nicolas Rolin kneeling before her. Jesus raises his right hand to bless Rolin.

For us today, we take these paintings for granted. 

But, the lifelike illusion of this painting must have been truly spellbinding in the 15th century. 

It’s partly due to the striking & vivid richness of the colours (the Louvre celebrated an exhibition recently following the conservation of this painting). The vermillion of the Madonna’s long loose flowing dress, the purples shades of Chancellor’s robes and not to mention the ultramarine of the Chancellor’s table cloth and the angel’s garments. The floor tiles are so ornate and so convincing. The linear and atmospheric perspective are terrific.

The sense of realism is a huge part of the artist’s power. Careful rendering of the tiles is (frankly!) a shocking testament to Van Eyck’s painstakingly laborious and meticulous nature. It’s also his mastery of linear perspective. The tiles have a pattern and he’s very careful to observe it. Van Eyck’s play on light is exceptional. I love the detailed rendering of the folds of the Madonna’s dress and the shadows within.

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Panoramic landscape - and, I think, perhaps van Eyck himself depicted (in the centre).

Amazing details - bridge with people crossing, reflections on the calm meandering river, a balcony stairs, a bustling town with green hills beyond. Atmospheric perspective can be seen in the distance.

Christ is blessing the Chancellor - i.e. glorifying the Chancellor!

Christ’s “adult”-looking face & beer-belly (!!) are part of the Byzantine iconographic tradition of Christ’s divine nature inherent from birth. 

The way the hair is painted spread over her shoulders is very realistic.

And what an enormous heavenly crown! 

 

The Chancellor’s luxurious and richly detailed robes, deep colours.

Hands clasped in prayer, over a bible. The motif of piety and devotion. 

I like his wrinkles on his neck, and blood vessels across his head.

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