Memling, Hans_Two horses in a landscape

Two horses in a landscape (allegory of true love)

The prince on the white horse in this painting by Hans Memling is a monkey.

It is an allegory of love, but its meaning is difficult to fathom as the work is no longer complete. It was probably part of a diptych.
The left-hand panel is in an American collection. It is a portrait of a woman with a flower in her hand, a sign that she is in love.
In this context, the brown horse would symbolize loyalty and passion; it looks longingly to the left, where the woman would be.
The white horse represents the cool, indifferent lover. It has no interest in her, but prefers to take a sip of water.
The monkey on his back may symbolize selfishness.
Most paintings from the late Middle Ages have a religious theme. This work by Memling is an exception to this rule.

Hans Memling 1439-1494
He was most likely a pupil of Rogier van der Weyden and spent most of his life in Bruges.
As he was one of the city's largest taxpayers in 1465, we can assume that he was very wealthy.
Memling is considered one of the most important Flemish painters. His paintings often have a more static character than those of his contemporaries.
His work was known as far away as Italy.

Boijmans Van Beuningen
Rotterdam
De Collection / Erik Beenker

Memling, Hans_Two horses in a landscape

References

Art lijst

Schilderijen

Schilderijen en de dokter

Schilders

Historie lijst

Wetenswaardigheden lijst