Background
Gerard David was born approximately in 1460 in Oudewater, Netherlands.
painter manuscript illuminator
Gerard David was born approximately in 1460 in Oudewater, Netherlands.
Gerard studied art under Albert van Oudewater in Haarlem, Netherlands.
After Gerard David settled in Bruges, the naive figures, that peopled the landscapes in his daintily colored early works, gave way to more aristocratic forms, reflecting the admiration he felt for the style of Rogier van der Weyden.
In 1484, David joined the Guild of Saint Luke in Bruges and became its dean in 1501. Also, upon the death of Hans Memling in 1494, David became Bruges' leading painter.
David's style falls into different periods. The first one, from 1484 to 1490, reveals the influence of Dirck Bouts, particularly in the composition of the landscape, and of Jan van Eyck with regard to the figures and details. Works from this period include "The Crucifixion" and "The Nativity". In his second period, between 1510 and 1515, he added secular elements to his religious motifs with the aim of adapting them to the new times. Vivid examples of such works are "The Virgin and Child with a Bowl of Milk" and "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt".
In 1515, the painter visited Antwerp and was impressed with the work of Quentin Matsys, who had introduced a greater vitality and intimacy in the conception of sacred themes.
Roman soldiers and Jewish judges (left wing from the Triptych of the Crucifixion)
An Augustinian Friar Praying
The Baptism of Christ (Central section of the triptych)
The Marriage at Cana
Triptych with the Nativity
The Nativity
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Archangel Gabriel and Virgin Annunciate
Mary and Child with Two Angels Making Music
Verso of the first Sketch King Cambyses
Madonna and Child with Two Music Making Angels
The Angel of the Annunciation
Polyptych of Cervara: St. Mauro
The Virgin and Child with Saints and Donor
Triptych of Jan Des Trompes (rear of the wings)
The Deposition
A Rest During the Flight to Egypt
The Angel of the Annunciation
The Holy Women and St. John at Golgotha
Altar of Archangel Michael
The Adoration of the Magi
The Marriage at Cana (detail)
Two Legends of St. Nicholas
The Flaying of the Corrupt Judge Sisamnes
The Nativity
Study of a Bust of Young Boy with Shaved Head
The Virgin of the Annunciation
The Virgin and Child in a Landscape
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
The Crucifixion
Lineage of Saint Anne
The Adoration of the Magi
The Transfiguration of Christ
The Annunciation
The Triptych of the Sedano Family
Triptych of Jean Des Trompes (side panels)
Polyptych of Cervara: center panel Madonna and Child Enthroned
Forest Scene
Polyptych of Cervara: St. Jerome
The Adoration of the Magi
Madonna with Angels and Saints
Triptych of Jan Des Trompes
The Judgement of Cambyses
Christ Nailed to the Cross
The Lamentation
Madonna with the Milk Soup
Two Legends of St. Nicholas
The Virgin of the Annunciation
Portrait of a Goldsmith
Virgin and Child with Four Angels
Gerard married Cornelia Cnoop in 1496.