ORLEY, Bernaert van
(b. 1491/92, Bruxelles, d. 1542, Bruxelles)

The Last Judgment

1519-25
Oil on panel, 248 x 218 cm (centre), 248 x 94 cm (side panels)
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp

The majestic arched composition, borrowed from Raphael, the scientific representation of the numerous, animated nude figures, and the dull, brownish but smooth colouring already point to the strongly Italianate tendency in the painting of Van Orley.

The subject of the side panels is the Seven Acts of Mercy.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem K 626: Dies irae