Who Is Robert Campin's Mérode Altarpiece?

In The Mérode Altarpiece by Robert Campin, the announcement to Mary that she will give birth to the Son of God is shown on Flemish domestic interior. The artwork is separated into sections, focusing mainly on the central panel. To Mary’s left, Gabriel, the Archangel, approaches her, blocking the view of the couple in the left-hand panel. This couple is dressed in clothing from the fifteenth century. Gabriel is dressed in a white robe with a blue belt tied around him. In the upper-left hand corner of the central panel, seven rays of light shine onto Mary’s abdomen, one of which has a miniature Christ carrying a cross and flying down to Mary. She sits at a table filled with items such as a vase, candle, book, and flowers. Mary holds her Bible in her hand with a white cloth and wears a red dress, unaware of the Angel to the left. In the panel to the right, Joseph is working in carpentry. A mousetrap lies in front of him, while another sits outside for sale. He works diligently on his pieces, unaware of what is going on in the room next to him.
The color remains dark throughout the painting until you focus on Mary and Gabriel.
Their clothing is bright, unlike that of Joseph and the couple. Gabriel’s wings are glowing with a yellow color outlined in dark brown. You can also see that Mary’s bible is being held with a white cloth. All of these details put emphasis on Mary and Gabriel and make them stand out greatly! This artwork is also very symmetrical with the panels and lines. It is separated into panels, mainly focusing on the central panel. The left and right-hand panels balance one another out because of the actions of the people. The entering of the couple to the left is balanced out by Joseph’s carpentry work to the right. The central panel is balanced because a table is placed in the middle to separate Gabriel from Mary. These two figures equal out one another out by color, size, and
action.

Due to all of the content that refers to the Bible, this artwork is a representational piece. It conveys the story told in Luke 1:26-38. This is the story of Gabriel, the Archangel, proclaiming to Mary that she is blessed and highly favored by God. He goes on to tell her that she has been chosen to conceive and give birth to the Son of God! The seven rays of light portray this perfectly in this artwork. The rays are reflected onto Mary’s abdomen, one of which has a tiny Christ carrying a cross. I think that Campin was signifying the Messiah entering Mary’s body. This painting is very powerful to me because it conveys the story of Christ and could potentially lead others to God!

Robert Campin did a very good job of giving this immaterial artwork form. He revealed hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, and personal feelings. He explained the story of the savior of the universe. This gives a very personal feeling for Christians who view this piece.