Robert Campin

Campin, Robert 

Born circa 1378; died Apr. 26, 1444, in Tournai. Flemish painter.

Campin, who worked in Tournai, has been identified as the Master of Flémalle. His works reflected the 14th-century Flemish tradition of miniature painting and sculpture. Campin was the first Flemish painter to apply the artistic principles of the Renaissance. His works are more archaic than those of his younger contemporary J. van Eyck. However, they are distinguished by unaffectedness, simplicity, and, at times, earthy treatment of religious subjects. Campin’s works include the Merode altarpiece (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) and the Werl altarpiece (1438, Prado, Madrid). He greatly influenced his Flemish successors, including his pupil Rogier van der Weyden. Campin was one of the first European portraitists.

REFERENCE

Frinta, M. S. The Genius of Robert Campin. Paris, 1966.