FLANDERS 103Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was known as a
master of composition. His Adoration of the Magi
(1624) brings extraordinary energy to this well
worn theme, making the viewer’s eye dance
around from face to face, although the prime
focus always remains the baby Jesus.Pieter Brueghel the Elder
(c.1525–69) was the greatest
of a family of talented artists.
He showed an earthy delight
in Flemish rural life and used
it as the context for scenes from
the Bible or Greek mythology.
In his Fall of Icarus (c.1558),
the unfortunate pioneer aviator
crashes into the sea beside a
ship, unnoticed by the nearby
ploughman who is concentrat-
ing on his work.Anthony van Dyck
(1599–1641) worked
as Rubens’s chief
assistant in Antwerp.
His gift for portraiture,
seen in his self-portrait
at the age of 30, later
brought him great
success at the court of
Charles I in England.Jan van Eyck demonstrates his exceptional
eye for detail, through contemporary
touches such as the canon’s spectacles, in
Madonna with Canon van der Paele (1436).
Jacob Jordaens (1593–1678) worked with
Rubens in Antwerp. He is famous for lively
paintings such as The Family Concert (1638).
The matronly central figure watches the others
make raucous music, while, unobserved, the
dog sniffs the food.