Artist. One of the early Flemish Renaissance masters, he continued the tradition of Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden in bringing greater realism to painting. His portraits are noted for their almost photographic attention to detail and imaginative use of backgrounds, qualities that can be found to a lesser degree in his religious scenes. Memling was born in Seligenstadt near Frankfurt, Germany, and probably trained in Cologne. By 1466 he was in Bruges, Flanders (now in Belgium), where he established a very successful workshop. Memling became one of the city's wealthiest citizens through commissions from affluent Italian businessmen; the Medici family was known to have bought paintings from him. About 80 of his works survive, including 20 altarpieces and some 30 portraits.
Artist. One of the early Flemish Renaissance masters, he continued the tradition of Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden in bringing greater realism to painting. His portraits are noted for their almost photographic attention to detail and imaginative use of backgrounds, qualities that can be found to a lesser degree in his religious scenes. Memling was born in Seligenstadt near Frankfurt, Germany, and probably trained in Cologne. By 1466 he was in Bruges, Flanders (now in Belgium), where he established a very successful workshop. Memling became one of the city's wealthiest citizens through commissions from affluent Italian businessmen; the Medici family was known to have bought paintings from him. About 80 of his works survive, including 20 altarpieces and some 30 portraits.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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