Reflections on praxis and facture in a devotional portrait diptych: a computer analysis of the mirror in Hans Memling's Virgin and Child and Maarten van Nieuwenhove

Silvio Savarese; Ron Spronk; David G. Stork; Andrey DelPozo

doi:10.1117/12.761226

13 March 2008 Reflections on praxis and facture in a devotional portrait diptych: a computer analysis of the mirror in Hans Memling's Virgin and Child and Maarten van Nieuwenhove

Silvio Savarese, Ron Spronk, David G. Stork, Andrey DelPozo

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6810, Computer Image Analysis in the Study of Art; 68100G (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.761226
Event: Electronic Imaging, 2008, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Hans Memling's 1487 diptych Virgin and Child and Maarten van Nieuwenhove is one of the most celebrated Early Netherlandish paintings, but little is known about the practical use of such objects in late medieval devotional practice. A particular point of debate, spurred by the reflection in the painted convex mirror behind the Virgin, concerns the question if the two hinged panels were to be used while set at an angle, and, if so, at what angle. It was recently discovered that the mirror was not part of the painting's initial design, but instead added later by Memling. We created a simple computer graphics model of the tableau in the diptych to test whether the image reflected in the mirror conformed to the image of the model reflected in the mirror. We find two significant deviations of the depicted mirror from that predicted from our computer model, and this in turn strongly suggests that Memling did not paint the mirror in this diptych while viewing the scene with a model in place, but that the mirror was more likely painted without a model present. In short, our findings support the notion that the mirror was an afterthought. This observation might have implications for the understanding of how the diptych was used in devotional practice, since it affects the ideal viewing angle of the wings for the beholder.

Citation Download Citation

Silvio Savarese, Ron Spronk, David G. Stork, and Andrey DelPozo "Reflections on praxis and facture in a devotional portrait diptych: a computer analysis of the mirror in Hans Memling's Virgin and Child and Maarten van Nieuwenhove", Proc. SPIE 6810, Computer Image Analysis in the Study of Art, 68100G (13 March 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.761226

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available