Memling (or Memlinc), Hans

Memling, Hans (1430?-94). Although he was known as a master of Flemish painting, Hans Memling was born in Seligenstadt, near what is today Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Memling, whose name is sometimes spelled Memlinc, first established himself as a painter in Brussels. In style and composition his work shows the strong influence of Rogier van der Weyden, the great Flemish painter. Because of this, Memling is thought to have studied under the older artist.

In about 1466 Memling moved to Brugge, where his career prospered. Like many other Flemish masters, Memling painted with glowing colors and fine craftsmanship. Unlike most artists, his style varied little throughout his career.

Many of Memling's well-known religious works were painted for the Hospital of St. John in Brugge. These include Adoration of the Magi and six panels depicting St. Ursula's journey to Rome, which he painted for the hospital's shrine to that saint.

Memling was a master of portraiture. The faces he painted with careful detail glow with life. The character of each is subtly suggested. In addition to the portraits Memling painted for the notables of Brugge, he also received commissions from foreign visitors such as Tommaso Portinari of the Florentine Medici. Memling died in Brugge on Aug. 11, 1494.

Photographs by Mark Harden and Carol Gerten-Jackson.

• The Resurrection, with the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian and the Ascension
  Truptych, Wood (170 Kb); Central panel 62 x 45 cm (24 1/2 x 17 1/2 in); Wings 62 x 19 cm (24 1/2 x 7 1/2 in); Musee du Louvre, Paris
  
• Portrait of an Old Woman
  1468-70 (190 Kb); Oil on panel, 25.6 x 17.7 cm (10 1/8 x 6 15/16 in); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas
  
• Portrait of an Old Woman
  1470-75 (30 Kb); Wood; Louvre
  
• The Triptych of the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine, lower half of right wing
  1479 (40 Kb); Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos, Hospital Saint-Jean
  
• The Triptych of the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine, upper half of right wing
  1479 (70 Kb); Hospital Saint-Jean
  
• Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Angels
  1480 (60 Kb); Oil on wood, Uffizi
  
• The Archangel Michael
  1480 (30 Kb); Wallace Collection, London
  
• The Last Judgement (top portion featuring Jesus)
  1480 (80 Kb); Wood; Memling Museum at Bruges, Belgium
  
• Musician Angels (one portion of a triptych)
  1485 (60 Kb); Koninkijk Museum at Antwerp
  
• Portrait of Benedetto di Tommaso Portinari
  1487 (30 Kb); Oil on wood; Uffizi
  
• Portrait of an Unknown Man
  1490 (30 Kb); Oil on wood; Uffizi