Merode Altarpiece

Merode Altarpiece

Annunciation Triptych

The triptych is a significant art-piece of the Northern Renaissance that stresses the ideas of Northern Humanism, specifically individual and personal study of the Bible. Campin achieves this message through targeted imagery and symbolism, specifically the depiction of a significant Biblical scene, the Annunciation, in a traditional Flemish home and town of the area. By placing the scene in a familiar setting for viewers of the piece, as well as incorporating symbolism of Christian Humanism through the open Bible in the center being studied, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the central panel. These reinforced ideas of Christian Humanism play a crucial role in, and boldy foreshadow, the later development of political ideologies in Europe, specifically Liberalism. The focus on the potential of the individual to study and interpret the Bible for oneself which is exhibited in this piece, and in works of the Northern Renaissance and Christian Humanism, are parallel to Liberalism, which similarly focuses on the potential of the individual in society with limited control by a greater source of authority/the government (or in the case of Christian Humanism, the Church).

Robert Campin

Workshop of Robert Campin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

1428

Public Domain