Rogier van der Weyden's Miraflores Altarpiece (c. 1440) was installed in the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores, Castile, during a period when early rosary meditation cycles were gaining popularity, particularly amongst Carthusians. This previously unexplored historical context offers a rationale for the innovative iconographic content and structure of the work, as well as for the ways in which it had meaning for its viewers. Like early rosary meditations, the Miraflores Altarpiece combines diverse meditational cycles including life of Christ and the Virgin narratives with the tripartite division of the Marian Psalter. The altarpiece has much in common with the later standardized form of the rosary, which indicates that this format had much earlier roots than had been thought previously. The Miraflores Altarpiece contributes to our understanding of the way visual media participated in the rosary tradition, and of the ways that tradition developed and changed over the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. / Art History

Northern European and Italian Renaissance art have tended to be treated art historically as two opposing styles. Rooted in statements by artists such as Michelangelo and Leon Battista Alberti, it has become a common misconception that Italians did not hold Northern European art in high regard during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. This thesis seeks to complicate and critique this conventional understanding by looking at the similarities and transalpine exchanges between the artistic styles and practices of Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1400-1464) of Brussels and Cosmè Tura (c. 1430-1495) of Ferrara. By looking at the writings of contemporary humanists at the Ferrarese court and technical analysis of select paintings, it is evident that Cosmè Tura strove to emulate and incorporate aspects of Rogier van der Weyden’s northern manner, especially in his handling of oil paint, use of underdrawings, and emotive effects. By reconsidering this cross-cultural relationship, this thesis demonstrates that the traditionally constructed animosity between Northern and Southern Renaissance art is a common misperception and a oversight in art history. / Art History

This thesis examines Rogier Van Der Weyden's two unique fifteenth century Crucifixions, The Crucified Christ Between the Virgin and Saint John and The Diptych of the Crucifixion, in light of Carthusian beliefs, practices and relevant devotional texts. The specific text used to support this examination is the Vita Christi by Ludolph of Saxony, which in part deals specifically with the Hours of the Passion. Ludolph's text is given visual form in Rogier's paintings and supports the assertion that Rogier and Ludolph were connected by a shared belief and worldview. Key aspects of Rogier's life, supported by original documentation- familial ties, associates, patrons, use of finances, and his close involvement with the Carthusians-- support this assertion. Other models of connections of belief, evidenced through artist's work, are corroborated in the work of Grunewald, Sluter and Durer.

This diploma thesis is focused on presenting selected artwork with the theme of Hell, which were made in 15. and 16. century. The focus will be on placing this artworks into whole artworks of selected painters. Also to compare it between each other and try to prove how was the tradition of this theme affected by political situation, customer and how was it affected by literature.