The Private Life of an Easter Masterpiece -- April 7, 2012

Doctor Peter Henri Van Der Weyde was born in Nymegen, Holland in 1813. He went on to live a remarkable life of achievement in the sciences and the arts. He died in America in 1895. He wrote the articles which gave this blog its name.

In Part 6 of his memoir, Reminiscences of an Active Life (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2008/07/reminiscences-of-active-life-6-july-5.html), he says "The old master Roger Van der Weyden is one of the ancestors of the family."

On 03-April-2010, a BBC Two television series, The Private Life of a Masterpiece, featured Rogier van der Weyden's "The Descent From the Cross," which is currently in the collection of the Prado Museum in Madrid. In the television episode, "The Private Life of an Easter Masterpiece",  Professor Susie Nash calls the painting, which was copied and referenced ceaselessly throughout Europe, "the most important painting of the whole period of the entire 15th century." 

The emotions of the people feel real. 

Today we went to lunch at Camelot Fish and Chips, then across the highway to Mazzeti's Bakery to pick up cakes and hot cross buns for Easter.  

Rogier van der Weyden -- April 9, 2011

Doctor Peter Henri Van Der Weyde was born in Nymegen, Holland in 1813. He went on to live a remarkable life of achievement in the sciences and the arts. He died in America in 1895. He wrote the articles which gave this blog its name.

In Part 6 of his memoir, Reminiscences of an Active Life (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2008/07/reminiscences-of-active-life-6-july-5.html), he says "The old master Roger Van der Weyde is one of the ancestors of the family."

Rogier van der Weyden was a Fifteenth Century painter in the Netherlands. With Easter coming, I thought it was suitable to include Rogier's painting "The Descent From the Cross," which is currently in the collection of the Prado Museum in Madrid. The figures display more emotion than I am accustomed to seeing in such an early Northern Renaissance painting. Mary, the Mother of Jesus swoons at the foot of the cross.