Primitive Dutch 15th Century (2)

I walk on and see the works by Rogier Van der Weyden, Jacques Daret, Hans Memling, masters, followers and anonymous people completing the extraordinary collection of Flemish primitives.

I enter a long gallery, on the left side and in between the windows on the Paseo del Prado, many portraits are hanging. In the left wing, each room is dedicated to a specific theme. I enter one which is not very large; various portrait boards hang from the walls. There is enough space in between them so that you don’t get disturbed while observing. I was struck by one in particular, the portrait of a man looking less noble or maybe cruder than the rest; the title "Portrait of a robust man", painted towards 1425. It could be Robert de Masmine, a military who fought for Philip the Good of Bourgogne who was not a nobody since he owned the Golden Fleece. Important fact: I was told this board was considered the first autonomous board of Flemish painting. The author, Robert Campin (1375(?)-1444), impresses with the truthfulness with which he drew the lines of the character's face, his wrinkles, his eyelids, his beard, his hair. A great work of art, yes sir.