David Gerard - a thin painter

David Gerard is a famous painter from the Netherlands. An artist who tried to give his paintings softness through the use of composite schemes, poetic motifs of those times.

short biography

David Gerard is a representative of the Northern Renaissance of the early era. Gerard was born in 1460 in the Netherlands. His teacher was a father. Until 24 years, the young man lived in his home, and then moved to Bruges. Here he was respected and honored as an artist.

In Bruges, David began to study with Hans Memling, whose influence was felt significantly in the work of the painter. Gerard's style changed slightly. In 1494 he became the main city painter.

Creativity of the painter

David Gerard, perhaps, the most famous person in the field of painting. He made a big contribution to its development. The artist was able to combine iconography and poetic motifs in one drawing. David received juicy, soft and lighted pictures.

Historians do not know the facts about the education that Gerard David had. Pictures of this painter enjoyed great popularity. Each of his work is distinguished by its subtlety and depth. Such paintings as "Christmas" and "Adoration of the Magi" are quite similar in the manner of the works of Gertgen or Dirk Bouts.

Changes in the style of people's image of Gerard at a more mature age are noticeable. He increasingly depicted chubby women with large forms. Apparently David tried to copy the authors of the last generation.

Already at a later age, David Gerard wrote many picturesque paintings on poetic themes with a touch of sentimentality. In 1506, David first visited Italy, where he was asked to fulfill the order of the monastery of Charvara. The painter's works have been copied many times.

Painting "Skinning off the corrupt judge"

"Cambys Court," or "Rip off the skin from the corrupt judge," is the famous diptych painting that the artist completed in 1498. This picture was proud of Gerard David. "Rip off the skin from the corrupt judge" - a painting written for the city court of Bruges. This is a reminder that everything in life should be done in justice.

The Dutch art of that time was characterized by similar genres of edifying images. The painting depicts the story of one story, described by Herodotus. It said that the king appointed his half-brother and Hystiaeum satrap Sard. Otan was appointed chief of the troops, whose father was a royal judge. This was the name of Judge Sisamn. At one time, Sisamn had the imprudence to make the wrong verdict, and all because he was bribed. The king ordered the execution of the judge. In addition to killing, it was ordered to tear off Sisamna's skin.

Scraped skin had to be made up, made of it strips in the form of belts, and they bandaged the referee's chair on which the executed person was sitting. In place of the king's judge was appointed Otan - the son of an executed judge. The king reminded the new judge of the fate of the old and the importance of justice.

In general, Europeans in the old days welcomed such punishment for bribed people and traitors. The skin could be torn off both from the living and from the dead man. In the archives there is a large number of graphic records on this topic.