Description
The Donne Triptych painting by Hans Memling is a masterpiece of the art of flamenco rebirth that has a lot of interesting aspects. In terms of artistic style, this work is an example of the oil painting technique, which became popular at the time of the Renaissance and that allowed artists to create works with a great wealth of details and textures.
The composition of The Donne Triptych is another prominent aspect of this work. It is a triptych, that is, a paint divided into three panels, which in this case are united by hinges and can be closed as a book. In the central panel, the Virgin Mary is represented with the Infant Jesus in arms, while in the side panels are donors, a marriage of the Bruge bourgeoisie. The composition is carefully balanced and each element is arranged accurately to create a sensation of harmony and balance.
Color is another prominent aspect of The Donne Triptych. The soft and warm tones of the skin of the characters contrast with the darkest and rich colors of the cloth that surround them. The use of gold, both in the funds and in the clothing of the characters, adds a brightness and a glow that accentuates the feeling of holiness and divinity.
The history of painting is also interesting. He was commissioned by the Donne marriage, a family of witch merchants, as a devotional work for his private chapel. The painting was finished in 1478 and remained in the Donne chapel for more than two centuries before being sold to a private collector. In the nineteenth century, the work was acquired by the National Museum of Ancient Art of Lisbon, where it is currently.
Finally, there are little known aspects of The Donne Triptych that also deserve to be mentioned. For example, it is believed that the face of the Virgin Mary was modeled from the donor's wife, while the Child Jesus was modeling from his son. In addition, some experts have suggested that the position of the hands of the Virgin and the child has a symbolic meaning, since they form a kind of triangle that represents the Holy Trinity.