The generation that followed Van der Weyden and Dieric Bouts was dominated by Hugo van der Goes, who became a free master of the Ghent painters' corporation in 1467. His moving Death of the Virgin is one of the greatest masterpieces of the fifteenth century. The painting was probably made for the Abbey of the Dunes in Koksijde, which was moved to Bruges in the seventeenth century. It remained in Bruges, even during the French occupation. Following a short stay in the Town Hall, it was given to the Academy Museum in 1828. The plastic and psychological elaboration of the theme is very personal, as is the case with all Van der Goes' work.

While traveling abroad, provably to Cologne, Van der Goes was seized by acute depression and, in a fit of insanity, he had to be prevented by force from taking his own life. He must have died shortly after that. Many attempts have been made to link these biographical details to the Death of the Virgin. Every stylistic trait that distinguishes this work from the others, including its dramatic, visionary atmosphere, has been ascribed to the painter's state of mind.

Preview	Picture Data	File Info	Comment
	The Death of the Virgin c. 1480 Oil on wood, 147,8 x 122,5 cm Groeninge Museum, Bruges	796*950 True Color 172 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin c. 1480 Oil on wood, 147,8 x 122,5 cm Groeninge Museum, Bruges	1000*1180 True Color 184 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	950*1268 True Color 194 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	957*790 True Color 161 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	949*790 True Color 152 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	709*1061 True Color 140 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	1000*1171 True Color 195 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	950*1266 True Color 217 Kb
	The Death of the Virgin (detail) c. 1480 Oil on wood Groeninge Museum, Bruges	900*1322 True Color 198 Kb