Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/213

 SCULPTURE AND PAINTING 201 tion. It may be described as a continuation in pictorial form of Conrad von Wtirzburg's poem, ' The Golden Forge.' As another proof of the intimate connection between religion and art we may cite Eoger van der Weyden's painting, ' The Seven Sacraments,' in the Antwerp Gallery. It is a triptych representing the interior of a Gothic cathedral. In the middle panel the crucified Saviour, as the source of salvation, is de- picted surrounded by His blessed mother, St. John, Magdalen, and the holy women. In the background is seen an altar at which mass is going on. The priest is in the act of elevating the host. To this, the holiest of the sacraments, the central position is fitly given. The other sacraments are represented in the side panels, each in its proper place and surrounded by angels and ban- ners suitably inscribed. The perfection of its concep- tion and the noble simplicity of the accessories make it deeply impressive. It may be described as a pictorial epic poem. Memling may be said to have been the typical representative of the Lower Ehine school of art ; his works contain so much that was so beautiful and grand in conception, so much strength and beauty of colouring, that one can never take one's fill of gaz- ing at them. Under the influence of the Cologne methods, but with a distinctly original tendency, the Westphalian school developed remarkable power and harmony of expression and tenderness of tone and colouring. The headquarters of this school were in Minister, and the most renowned representatives were Jarenius von Soest and the Liesborn ' Meister.' Curiously enough the works of the famous Viennese painter, Wolfgang