Conférence "Un autre van der Weyden : le Retable de Dymphne"

Gossen van der Weyden is the grandson of the great Rogier... whom Burgundians know well thanks to the Last Judgement in Beaune! His life remains largely unknown, and there is still some hesitation as to the dates of his birth and death.

Although Gossen's talent is very real, it undoubtedly does not reach the heights of his forebear, whose inventiveness and dexterity are unrivalled; but his work, which is of a high quality, is certainly worthy of interest, as is proved by the success it seems to have enjoyed. One of the salient features of his style is that, at the end of the Middle Ages, he was able to incorporate many of the innovations that would usher in the 16th century.

The Dymphne Altarpiece can be considered one of his major works. This monumental work, with its eventful history, recounts the edifying life of a saint of Irish origin whose cult, which was very popular, spread throughout Flanders and beyond from the end of the Middle Ages until the 19th century.

A detailed examination of this polyptych allows us to appreciate the art of an excellent representative of Flemish painting at a pivotal period, when the abundant output oscillated between maintaining traditions and inventing new formulas.