The life of the anonymous Flemish artist known as the Master of the Getty Froissart is largely unknown. Active in fifteenth-century Northern Europe, his illustration of an episode from the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) between the English and French realms is part of the Chroniques written by Jean Froissart (ca. 1337-1405). The French author's four volumes, numerous factual errors and fanciful exaggerations aside, describe the first half of the war's numerous military engagements as well as the chivalric aspects of aristocratic life in late-medieval Europe.
The Soldiers of Brabant Entering Ravenstein is one of 64 miniatures from the Chronique's third book (ca. 1480) owned by the museum. The Master of the Getty Froissart took great strides in his handling of light and its reflections. This was a hallmark of early Netherlandish painting that distinguished many fifteenth-century Northern European artists from their Italian counterparts. In this illumination, the quiet nighttime landscape is punctuated by the setting sun's last rays of light. This optical effect is emphasized by reflections on the soldiers' shiny armor as they cross a bridge that spans a river that winds beyond a castle into the manuscript's background. All of this visually suggests depth past the partially craggy hillside on the left side of the painting's foreground, demonstrating the illuminator's attempt at perspective.
"Landscape in the Renaissance" is on view from August 1 to October 15, 2006 at The Getty Museum, located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1681 (Telephone: 310-440-7300; Website). The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free. Paid parking is based on availability and costs $8.00 per car, cash only.
***************
From your Guide: Stan Parchin, Senior Correspondent for Museums and Special Exhibitions, is a regular contributor to About Art History and the author of this feature. You may read all of his Special Exhibition and Catalogue Reviews here.
*Dimensions and accession numbers of the above work:
48 x 35 cm.
83.MP.
150.318.
The Soldiers of Brabant Entering Ravenstein is one of 64 miniatures from the Chronique's third book (ca. 1480) owned by the museum. The Master of the Getty Froissart took great strides in his handling of light and its reflections. This was a hallmark of early Netherlandish painting that distinguished many fifteenth-century Northern European artists from their Italian counterparts. In this illumination, the quiet nighttime landscape is punctuated by the setting sun's last rays of light. This optical effect is emphasized by reflections on the soldiers' shiny armor as they cross a bridge that spans a river that winds beyond a castle into the manuscript's background. All of this visually suggests depth past the partially craggy hillside on the left side of the painting's foreground, demonstrating the illuminator's attempt at perspective.
"Landscape in the Renaissance" is on view from August 1 to October 15, 2006 at The Getty Museum, located at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1681 (Telephone: 310-440-7300; Website). The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free. Paid parking is based on availability and costs $8.00 per car, cash only.
***************
From your Guide: Stan Parchin, Senior Correspondent for Museums and Special Exhibitions, is a regular contributor to About Art History and the author of this feature. You may read all of his Special Exhibition and Catalogue Reviews here.
*Dimensions and accession numbers of the above work:
48 x 35 cm.
83.MP.
150.318.