Christus, Petrus

Christus or Cristus, Petrus (both: pē`trəs krĭs`təs), fl. 1444–c.1473, Flemish painter; a follower and probably a pupil of the Van Eycks. In 1444 he became a free citizen of Bruges, where he remained until his death. Christus was successful in the rendering of geometric perspective and became noted for his fine, introspective treatment of figures, particularly in portraiture. Many of his works show a simplification of the compositions of Jan van Eyck, and there are traces of the influence of Roger van der Weyden. Among the paintings ascribed to Christus are the portraits of Edward Grymestone (Earl of Verulam Coll., England); Lamentation and a portrait of an unknown Carthusian monk (both: Metropolitan Mus.); Lamentation (Brussels); and Nativity (National Gall. of Art, Washington, D.C.).

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Christus, Petrus

(born c. 1420, Baerle, Brabant—died 1472/73, Bruges) Flemish painter. He is documented as working in Bruges (1444), where he was influenced by the work of Jan van Eyck. Christus is known for his sensitive portraits, but his most important contributions were the introduction of geometric perspective to Netherlandish painting, and his genrelike treatment of religious subjects, seen in works such as St. Eligius as a Goldsmith (1449) and Virgin and Child in a Domestic Interior (c. 1450–60).