Marie Madeleine lisant

1427–1438

Four children: Cornelius, Margaretha, Pieter and Jan

Cornelius was born in 1427 (he later became a Carthusian monk), Margaretha in 1432, and Pieter and Jan in 1437 and 1438 in Brussels; Pieter became a painter and inherited his father’s workshop, Jan a goldsmith.

1432–1435 · Lieu de travail

Tournai

by 21 October 1435

He moves to Brussels and takes a new name

By 21 October 1435 he and his family were living in Brussels — one of Europe’s largest cities and the chief residence of the Dukes of Burgundy; Dutch was spoken there, and Roger de la Pasture became Rogier van der Weyden.

1435–1464 · Lieu de travail

Brussels

1435–1464

Portraitist of the Burgundian court

In Brussels he painted portraits of Duke Philip the Good, his son Charles the Bold and his illegitimate son Anthony of Burgundy, Philip I de Croÿ (1460) and Laurent Froimont; there is ample evidence of his prosperity and of the special patronage of the Burgundian court at the height of its power.

2 March 1436

Painter to the town of Brussels

From 2 March 1436 he held the prestigious title of “painter to the town of Brussels” (stadsschilder): the post was created especially for him, was meant to lapse on his death and was tied to a huge commission — four justice scenes for the “Golden Chamber” of the town hall.