Description
The painting St John and Veronica Diptych (reverse of the right wing) by artist Hans Memling is a masterpiece of late Gothic art that features exquisite composition and masterful use of colour. The work, which measures 31.6 x 24.4 cm, is a diptych that is in the collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid.
In the painting, you can see Saint John and Veronica, both important characters in the story of Jesus' crucifixion. Saint John, Jesus' favorite disciple, holds a cross and a book, while Veronica, the woman who wiped Jesus' face on his way to Calvary, holds a cloth with Christ's image on it. The composition of the work is symmetrical and balanced, with the characters placed in the center of the painting and surrounded by a detailed and naturalistic landscape.
Memling's artistic style is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to create a sense of depth and space in painting. In this work, you can appreciate his oil painting technique, which allowed him to create a variety of textures and effects of light and shadow in the painting.
In terms of color, the work presents a rich and varied palette, with warm and cold tones that complement each other. The characters' clothing is painted with great attention to detail, with folds and shadows that create a sense of movement and life in the painting.
The history of the painting is interesting, as its origin and history were unknown until it was acquired by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in 2010. The work is believed to have been painted in the 15th century in Bruges, Belgium, where Memling worked as a one of the most important artists of the time.
In short, Hans Memling's painting St John and Veronica Diptych (reverse of the right wing) is a masterpiece of late Gothic art noted for its balanced composition, detailed painting technique, and rich and varied color palette. The history of the painting is fascinating and its origin and history remain a mystery to art experts.