Frames and supports in 15th and 16th-century Southern Netherlandish painting

CHAPTER VI 122 Fig. 68. In larger works, the danger of sagging of the heavy wings played a role in the evolution of shapes. A desire to lighten the wings is evident. a. The heavy wings by Jacques de Baerze and Melchior Broederlam (Dijon, Museum of Fine Arts) were originally carried on props, at the origin moving along a rail in the pavement; now replaced by fixed props. b. In the reconstituted form of the upper register the Ghent altarpieces by the Van Eyck brothers, 1432 (Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral) the raised portions of the wings played an important role in the subsequent history of the work. Acting as a lever, their weight led to their sagging and subsequent amputation. c. In the Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1438 (Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado) the raised part is severely limited in order to lighten the wings. d. In the Last Judgement by the same artist, 1446-1448 (Beaune, Musée de l’Hôtel-Dieu) and many late 15th century works, the raised central portion is covered by two wings directly attached to it. This lightens the wings, and the raised part is better proportioned. 251 a b c d 260 280 280