Petrus Christus

Petrus Christus, born in Baarle around 1410/1420, emerged as a pivotal figure in Early Netherlandish painting. He became active in Bruges from 1444, stepping into the void left by Jan van Eyck's death in 1441. While long considered van Eyck's student, recent research suggests Christus was an independent master, drawing influence from a wider circle including Dirk Bouts, Robert Campin, and Rogier van der Weyden. He purchased his Bruges citizenship in 1444, a detail that hints…