Retable Requin by Enguerrand Quarton.
Musee du Petit Palais, Avignon.
Photo : A. Guerrand
Couronnement de la Vierge by Enguerrand
Quarton. Musee Pierre-de-Luxembourg,
Villeneuve-les-Avignon (Gard).
Photo : musée Pierre-de-Luxembourg
de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Three major influences may be identified in this picture: that of Provence and Enguerrand Quarton; that of Spain, of Martin de Soria from Aragon or Jaime Huguet from Catalonia; and that of Flanders, possibly via the Flemish painter Andre d’Ypres who was living in Paris, the creator of the Retable du Parlement de Paris.
The influence of the School of Provence is evident in the intense luminosity that simplifies the monumental volumes of the Crucifixion in the foreground and reinforces the arid character of the vegetation in the background. The strongly projecting ribcage and hollow stomach of Christ are physical characteristics found in the work of Enguerrand Quarton.
The particularly harrowing expression of the Christ, whose teeth can be seen, and the austere appearance of the Virgin, whose face is almost completely hidden by a rigid headdress, are reminiscent of the Spanish style.
Crucifixion of the Parliament of
Toulouse, detail, after restoration.
Photo : Daniel Martin.
The Flemish style is characterized by a taste for the picturesque and for detail: the background of the picture, with its animated scenes – the casual attitude of the two soldiers walking arm in arm on the right – and the meticulous treatment of the buildings, are typical of this style which enjoyed success throughout Europe.