Weyden, Rogier van der

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Netherlandish artist. He was the official painter to the city of Brussels from 1436. He produced portraits and religious paintings like The Last Judgement (c. 1450; Hôtel-Dieu, Beaune) in a refined and elegant realist style.

He visited Italy (where his works were greatly admired) in 1450, and had a busy workshop in Brussels until his death. Though he signed no paintings, his work is as distinctive as that of Jan van Eyck, and the products of his studio exerted an important influence not only in northern Europe, but also in Spain and, to some extent, in Italy.

Lucid and graceful composition, a feeling for relief (suggesting that he made use of effects observed in Gothic sculpture), and a warm humanity and mastery of emotional expression characterize his work. These qualities can be seen in his Deposition before 1443 (Prado, Madrid).

Among his religious works are the Pietà (Mauritshuis, The Hague), the polyptych of the Last Judgement, the Seven Sacraments (Musée Royal des Beaux-Arts, Antwerp), and the Adoration of the Magi (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin). His portraits include the lucid Portrait of a Lady (National Gallery, Washington).

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