From the artist's life
In his Descent from the Cross the figures crowd a shallow, gold-backed space like painted sculpture, heightening the raw grief.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaNorthern Renaissance
Rogier van der Weyden
Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1399–1464) was one of the greatest Early Netherlandish masters, renowned for the intense emotion of his religious paintings. His Descent from the Cross is a summit of Northern art.
Van der Weyden's expressive grief and elegant line influenced painters across Europe for over a century.
- One of the greatest Early Netherlandish painters.
- Master of intense religious emotion and elegant line.
- His Descent from the Cross is a landmark of Northern art.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- The Descent from the CrossOn ArtAtlas
- Mérode AltarpieceListed for reference
- Saint Luke Drawing the VirginListed for reference
- Columba TriptychListed for reference
- Miraflores AltarpieceListed for reference
- Braque TriptychListed for reference
- Medici MadonnaListed for reference
- Annunciation TriptychListed for reference
- Bladelin TriptychListed for reference
The Descent from the Cross
The figures stand in a shallow gilded niche, as if a painted carved sculpture.