Passion, emotion and restraint were the trademark of the works of Rogier van der Weyden (1400-1464). He was born in Tournai (Belgium) and after serving his apprenticeship there, he settled in Brussels where he held the prestigious office of city painter. In the centre of the Low Countries he gradually became the most influential artist of his day. High-ranking Burgundian officials, the Bishop of Tournai and the Leuven Crossbow Guild all commissioned works from him. His fame spread to Spain and Italy, and indeed all over Europe. The more than 100 works loaned to the exhibition by major European and American collections testify to his remarkable skill and originality. The exhibition also includes numerous paintings, sculptures, tapestries, drawings and miniatures by other artists, revealing the extent of Van der Weyden’s influence.
