Description
The painting The Holy Kinship Altarpiece (center panel) by the Master of the Holy Kinship is a stunning work of art that has captivated painting lovers for centuries. This masterpiece was created in the 15th century and is one of the most important works of the Flemish Renaissance.
The painting depicts the Holy Family surrounded by their close relatives, known as the Holy Kin. The composition is impressive, with a large number of characters arranged in a limited space without looking cluttered. The position of the characters, their expressions and gestures, as well as the way in which they relate to each other, are a testament to the artist's talent for creating a complex and coherent scene.
The colors used in the painting are vibrant and rich, with a wide range of shades from deep red to deep blue. The use of light and shadow in the painting is also impressive, giving a sense of depth and dimension to the scene.
The history of painting is fascinating. It was commissioned by the Van der Burcht family, one of the most influential families in Brussels, for their private chapel. The painting was stolen in 1566 during iconoclasm, a tumultuous period in the history of the Netherlands in which many works of religious art were destroyed. It was recovered in 1891 and restored by the Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels.
An interesting and little known aspect of the painting is that the artist used innovative techniques to create the texture and effect of the fabrics. The folds of the robes and cloaks are painted using a sponge technique that gives the painting a three-dimensional effect.
In short, The Holy Kinship Altarpiece (central panel) is a Flemish Renaissance masterpiece that impresses with its composition, color and technique. Its history and little-known details about its creation make it even more fascinating.