Robert Campin - Life

Life

Campin first appears as settled in Tournai from the archives of 1405–6, as a free master of the guild of painters, and there has been a lot of speculation about his origin and birthplace which is actually unknown. However, in 1410 he bought citizenship, which suggests he was not born there. He eventually attained the office of dean of the guild, and wardenship of a church and other civic offices, and was running a large workshop. By 1432, however, he lost his civic positions because of scandals, and probably his role in political disturbances in the city. In 1429 he was found guilty of withholding evidence, and sentenced to go on a pilgrimage, and in 1432 was convicted of adultery and banished for a year. Margaret of Burgundy, wife of the Count of Holland and sister of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy intervened on his behalf, and this was reduced to a fine. The dated Werl Altarpiece (1438) shows he continued to work (the two outer wings are in the Prado; the main panel is lost). He died in Tournai.

Read more about this topic:  Robert Campin

Famous quotes containing the word life:

    “The life of a good man is a continual warfare with his passions.”
    —Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)

    “What life is best?
    Courts are but only superficial schools
    To dandle fools:
    The rural parts are turned into a den
    Of savage men:
    And where ‘s a city from all vice so free,
    But may be termed the worst of all the three?”
    —Francis Bacon (1561–1626)

    “If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal—that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)