Bruges panels in blue, red and gold

Gerard David

Gerard David, a painter in Bruges, from about 1500 to about 1520. On a gold ground, Christ raises a hand to his mother as a young woman dries her tears, and in a small arched panel he looks straight out, blessing. Three kings bring gold cups under a ruined arch, a little dog trotting past, and angels fly over the Nativity, with kneeling donors on the side panels. Gabriel greets Mary in pale greys under a dove, and Christ carries the cross, then rises in a red cloak.

As a puzzle

Start with the strong colours: Mary’s deep blue, the red cloaks, the gold cups, the green and gold brocade of the kneeling king. The engraved gilt frame around Christ and his mother, and the gold arch around Christ Blessing, make quick borders. Gabriel and Mary are grey on grey, built from folds alone, so they are slow. Keep Christ Blessing low; the Nativity and the Adoration take a higher count.

A good size here: 40–200 pieces.

Also filed under Northern Renaissance

Subjects here: Sacred Art

6 pictures, pick one to build

Christ Taking Leave of His Mother ca. 1500

The Adoration of the Magi Gerard David and Workshop, ca. 1520

Christ Blessing ca. 1500–1505

Christ Carrying the Cross, with the Crucifixion; The Resurrection, with the Pilgrims of Emmaus ca. 1510

Archangel Gabriel; The Virgin Annunciate ca. 1510

The Nativity with Donors and Saints Jerome and Leonard ca. 1510–15