Bruges school

The "Bruges school" refers to a significant period in Flemish art, particularly in the 15th century. Bruges, under the patronage of the dukes of Burgundy, became a vibrant artistic center. This era is renowned for its painters' exceptional technical skill, especially in the oil medium, and their realistic portrayal of the world.

Key figures associated with this school include Jan van Eyck, credited with pioneering oil painting techniques that achieved remarkable color and surface freshness. Other notable artists of this period are Rogier van der Weyden and Petrus Christus, who explored dramatic compositions and the underlying structure of their subjects. The school's influence waned in the late 15th century with economic shifts and the decline of Bruges as a trade center.12