Emotionalism & Realism

Rogier van der Wyden, painter of the Deposition, was well known for adding a new sense of emotionalism to devotional works. He meant for the viewer to have an emotional experience.

Rogier van der Wyden
Deposition, 1435
Center panel of a triptych from Notre Dame, Louvain, Belgium
oil on wood, 7'2 5/8" x 8' 7 1/8"

In the case of the Deposition, everyone is depicted with emotional expressions through sorrow and tears. This is especially portrayed in Mary's face, which is clearly more pale than the other figures surrounding her. The position of Mary's body is also interesting in that it mimics the 'S' curve of Christ as he is taken down from the cross. This scene is also meant to force the viewer into contemplating their own death and considering their next life after life on earth. A symbol evoking these thoughts would be the skulls on the bottom of the painting. The crossbows in the corners symbolize who commisioned the painting, in this case being the archers guild.

Rogier van der Wyden was also known for his realism, seen in the shadows of the figures as well as the folds in the cloth. He suceeds in creating this impression through the use of bold and saturated colors from many layers of oil paint. Another interesting aesthetic characteristic of this painting is the way the figures are pressed up against the picture plane while still preserving depth through layers of figures.