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Hans Memling (Memlinc) was born in Seligenstadt in Germany. Dates for his birth vary: The Art Book says 1433 while other sources say 1435. However, we know for sure that by 1465 he had become a citizen of the declining, late-Gothic town of Bruges and only 15 years later was touted as one of the richest burghers in the city. Around this time (1470 or 1480), Memling married Anna de Valkenaere (d. 1487) and she bore him three children.
Memling's works are made up of altarpieces, devotional diptychs, triptychs and portraits. He is most well-known for his portraits, the first one being produced in 1467. It was a portrait of the Italian medallist Nicolo Spinelli. Memling's art reflects the influences of many Flemish masters, including Rogier van der Weyden, who is thought to have been his teacher, and Jan van Eyck. They both introduced to him detail and delicacy. He also took his style from Hugo van der Goes, although van der Goes' style was much more dramatic. Memling's paintings were symmetrically balanced, gracefully realistic, and used rich, luminous colors. This contributed to their "attitude of quiet devotion," which can be noted in The Donne Triptych, The Shrine of St. Ursula and most oustandingly, Seven Joys of the Virgin. His harmonious, idealized portrayals of landscapes, saints, angels, and patrons most-likely made Memling more approachable than his counterparts and thus increased his popularity. Of all the famous Bruges painters, Memling has the largest number of surviving works - 90. His later works are clearly more Italian in style with his use of garlands and sculptural detail.
Memling, a truly remarkable artist, died on the 11th of August, 1494, in Bruges.
The most skilful and most excellent painter of the whole Christian world.
-Romboudt de Doppere, Diary, 1494
[The importance of Roger van der Weyden]
To have left among his works a unique masterpiece - I mean a pupil who was called Memling.
-Eugène Fromentin, Les Maîtres d'autrefois (1876)
This thornless flower.
-Max Friedländer, Die altniederländische Malerei, Vol. VI (1928)
Tommaso Portinari and His Wife
c. 1470
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
left wing | center wing | right wing
The Donne Triptych
c. 1475
National Gallery, London
Mary in the Rose Bower
1480
Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Seven Joys of the Virgin
(or Advent and Triumph of Christ)
1480
Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Saint Ursula Shrine
1489
Memlingmuseum, Sint-Janshospitaal, Bruges
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