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Dirk Bouts
(d. 1475)
Bouts, Dirk (or Dieric)
(d. 1475).
Netherlandish painter, born probably in Haarlem and active mainly in Louvain,
where he was city painter from 1468. His major commissions there were the
Last Supper
altarpiece for the church of S. Pierre (still in situ, 1464-67)
and two panels (out of a projected set of four) on the
Justice of Emperor Otto
for the Hotel de Ville (Musees Royaux, Brussels, 1470-75).
Apart from these, there are no documented works, but his style is highly
distinctive and a convincing oeuvre has been built up for him.
His static figures are exaggeratedly slender and graceful, and often set
in landscapes of exquisite beauty. There is little action, but deep poetry
of feeling. Sources for his work have been sought in the mysterious
Albert van Ouwater
(who likewise seems to have had Harleem connections),
Rogier van der Weyden,
and
Petrus Christus,
but the individuality of Bouts work transcends
any model. His style was highly influential and was continued by his two
sons, Dieric the Younger (c. 1448-90/91) and
Aelbrecht (c. 1450/60-1549).
Particularly popular were small devotional images of the
Mater Dolorosa and
Christ Crowned with Thorns.
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