Merode Altarpiece by Robert Campin (c. 1427)
What we learned-
- The altarpiece, commissioned for personal use in a residential home, is a triptych, meaning it is comprised of three panels.
- The annunciation (the angel appearing to Mary to tell her the good news of Jesus’ birth) is the central scene and features lilies as the table’s centerpiece to symbolize Mary’s purity.
- In the left panel, the two kneeling people in the foreground are the patrons of the altarpiece. In the background we see their personal servant. The woman and servant were added into the painting later.
Discussion Questions:
- Who is the carpenter and why is he making mousetraps?
- Why would people want an altarpiece for their home?
- Knowing that portions of the altarpiece were dictated by the patron’s requests (i.e. featuring the patrons themselves in the left panel), how much influence do you think the patrons had over the entire painting? How would you feel as an artist to be commissioned by someone?
