Hans Memling, Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist

VISITFLANDERS has joined forces with Smarthistory and the Center for Netherlandish Art at the MFA Boston to bring you a series of video conversations with curators on important Flemish paintings by artists such as Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, Peter Paul Rubens, and James Ensor.
Hans Memling, Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, 1479, 193.5 x 194.7 cm (center panel), 193.2 x 97.1 cm (left wing), 193.3 x 97.3 cm (right wing), oak panel (Museum Saint John's Hospital, Musea Brugge, Bruges)
speakers: Dr. Anna Koopstra, Curator of Early Netherlandish painting, Musea Brugge, Bruges and Dr. Steven Zucker
For more information, please visit www.flemishmasters.com
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[@anthonyferreira9059]

Continue this series of showing sacred art of the middle ages!

[@ginacrusco234]

This series is utterly captivating. I had the privilege of viewing this work in Bruges. This video brings it to life even further for me by emphasizing such vivid details as the scenes of John the Baptist's life carved into the capitals, the position of John the Evangelist's hands as he pauses in his writing, stunned by his vision, and the mystical marriage of St Catherine.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It's such a treat to see this in person and wonderful that it remains in the hospital.

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

INCREDIBLE oral presentation!….imagine being a patient lying in this chamber resting in the closed presence of this alter piece knowing you are receiving the best care possible …..but then it is opened in all its majesty!

[@martijnkeisers5900]

So nice you are visiting Flanders!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It was a great trip, the art and architecture is gorgeous. Antwerp and Bruges are wonderful cities.

[@rodrigoestrada8347]

We learn from your videos how Memling is truly an active narrator with his scenes, as his paintings are explained. Thank you for allowing us viewers to enjoy more profundly his masterpieces.

[@luluandmeow]

What wonderful guides and teachers you are, thank you for yet another gem. Thank you also for your calm and refined voices.

[@knyght27]

I'm obsessed with the paintings of Vittore Carpaccio right now, so it would be great to see a Smarthistory video covering one of his works (for example the Dream of St. Ursula or St. Jerome In His Study)

[@smarthistory-art-history]

You might be interested in our essay on Carpaccio's Miracle of the Relic of the Cross at the Rialto Bridge smarthistory.org/carpaccio-miracle-relic-cross/ written by a curator at the Getty.

[@knyght27]

@@smarthistory-art-history Thanks very much!

[@regeleionescu935]

Thank you! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@dinal806]

just breathtaking visually & it’s history … period … artists … hospital .. amazing 💜💜💜💜💜

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Such a breathtaking painting; thanks for adding a comment.

[@daveyost1567]

Thanks for the close look & context-- Dr. Koopstra is a great guest host!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We agree, she was wonderful to work with.

[@sandrasharby8405]

Magnificent painting!

[@armanderuni3628]

Nice explanation and good video ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨

[@Sasha0927]

John the Baptist is my guy! With the exception of Paul, the BAMF-iest of biblical figures, lol.🔥 After flying to NY today(!!!), I could use a St. Jan's myself. What a lovely mission they had in caring for the weary traveler.. As if that wasn't lovely enough, the view of the interior (around 0:54) was just stunning! I wouldn't have expected such an elegant interior, but you can tell each detail was carefully considered. I felt super immature for wondering where Sean was on the right panel: "There's war, famine, pestilence, and Sean! But you're the most destructive of them all, apparently!" I needed that laugh. Didn't need to see my mans beheaded quite as much. The stance of the man holding the sword feels very intentional to me - as if he's incapable of facing forward (i.e. walking rightly), so he had to stand askance. Jerk. This is a beautiful piece, though. I can only imagine how it inspired visitors to this hospital if it's had so many effects on me.

[@melizen2]

Thank you!

[@lessismore4470]

Beautiful and sublime, thank you. What is the meaning of the little snake in the chalice? This is the most mysterious element of the painting to me.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

The Cleveland museum has a nice explanation: "According to legend, John the Evangelist was given a cup of poisoned wine that he drank without harm. As emblems of the tale, John’s chalice symbolizes the Christian faith prevailing over death, signified by the serpent."

[@lessismore4470]

@@smarthistory-art-history Thank you.

[@SmittenKitten.]

Salome's eyes seem to be averted...

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Mine would be too. You can see her eyes clearly in my photograph on Flickr: flic.kr/p/2pVGdYL

[@SmittenKitten.]

@@smarthistory-art-history It would be incredibly difficult to come to terms with what had been done. I wouldn't have been able to confront it, either. Thank you for the image. It is spectacular in its complexities on both a human and religious scale.