The Merode Triptych: Baby Christ

Hello there! Sorry, it's been a while (blame Bliss, he's paying far too much attention).


Today we continued our tour of the Netherlands with some Robert Campin and were looking at his Merode Altarpiece c. 1425-28. 

When asked to point out some of the iconography many our our compatriots rose to the occasion magnificently, but all ignored one glaringly obvious figure.

"What is that descending on the ray of light?" Professor Spronk prompted.


Bliss and I hadn't done the readings and had made a pact to sit together whilst avoiding questions, but this was so glaringly obvious Bliss blurted out "It's a little flying man with a cross!"


Compared to the 'eloquent' answers of all the keeners (I use the term lovingly) in the room, this got a few nervous laughs. Bliss - 1, Keeners - 0


So it's the Holy Ghost, I liked Bliss' answer better. So did Professor Spronk who dubbed it "Super Christ Child." Remind me to write that on my midterm on Tuesday.


- Life is good

[Merode 1, 2]

Shahira (and Bliss)

The Ghent Altarpiece: Pelicans

Still on the subject of the Ghent Altarpiece....


We were looking at a close up of God the Father or Jesus (as there are many interpretations). 

If you look closely at the tapestry behind the figure you will notice the pattern is of a bird piercing it's breast to feed it's young. 

(Apologies for the pixelation... this is the best resolution I could scrounge)

We were told that this bird is the pelican who feeds her young the blood from her breast in order for them o survive. This is a legend with roots in Christian mythology and the pelican has become a symbol of Christ as he sacrificed his life for his flock. So the presence of this bird in the tapestry behind the figure is reason to believe that the figure depicted is actually Christ... but there are so many different interpretations.

Anyway so I'm following, following, following.... no wait I'm a little lost. That bird is supposed to be a pelican?

Apparently Bliss agrees with me:

Birds of a feather, clearly.

- Life is good

[Pelican, Ghent Altarpiece, Symbolism of Pelican]

Shahira (and Bliss)

The Ghent Altarpiece: Virgins

This week in Netherlandish painting was an adventure.


Firstly it's a three hour lecture and as soon as the clock hits 51 minutes Bliss starts to squirm, looking very uncomfortable. I later discover they have 50 minute lectures in Applied Science.... oh boy.


Anyway, the topic of discussion was the Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck from 1432 (which my mother tells me I've seen though I was small and obnoxious and quickly ran through the church ignoring it.)

It's quite spectacular. 


We get onto iconographical discussion (yippee) and sometime along the discussion of the 1000 Virgins in the corner Bliss leans over and scribbles:

So true.

The Virgin Martyrs... I believe this is what we were talking about.


- Life is good

[Photos from Wikipedia and Art History Blog]

Shahira (and Bliss)

Art History Problems

First reading response quiz in German Architecture... 


Shahira: B+ and I'm thinking 'Not too shabby, I can improve on this.' 


Bliss: ... A+ and I'm thinking '...@$#%#&%$%^$# Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?! Great job, but are you for real? First art history class and the engineer wiped the floor with me. Aww man I gotta step it up.'


Pauly D would scream ART HISTORY PRO-BLEEMMMMMSSSS


- Life is good


Shahira (and Bliss)

Meet Bliss

Meet my great friend Bliss. 

What can I say about Bliss that isn't trite and cliched? He's a bonafide genius, he's funny, kind and just a ridiculously awesome individual. Though in his last year of Mechanical Engineering, Bliss has a problem... he needs two credits in the humanities to graduate. 

Solution? Netherlandish Painting and German Architecture. 

These are our adventures... the Art History student and the Engineer duking it out six hours a week. Hilarity will ensue, you should probably tune in.

- Life is good

Shahira (And Bliss)