Well of Moses

Leading into the Renaissance, the human figure became the central focus in art. The new appreciation for individuality and naturalism was prominent, however represented differently in both Northern and Southern Europe. The uniqueness of Northern European artists for expressing personality through art can be seen through Claus Sluter’s “Well of Moses.”

 

Claus Sluter, apprenticed to Flemish sculptor Jean de Marville, was exposed to the Gothic styles of the Renaissance, where the human figure was still not portrayed as natural as possible. In his sculpture, the “Well of Moses,” Sluter leaves the Gothic portrayal of the human figure (tall figures, clothing draped vertically from head to toe, and faces that still did not represent individual detail), for distinguishable figures. There are six figures, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Zachariah, Daniel and Isaiah, who form a base to support a scene of Christ on the cross, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalen and John the Evangelist. The detail of the six figures clearly leaves the style of his predecessors, with these figures each having different, detailed faces and clothing. In the north, artists focused on the human personality, and Sluter sets out to give each of his figures their own image. This style can be seen through examining the figures of Moses and David. When looking at Moses, the pain resonates from the wrinkles covering his face and surrounding his eyes, while the folds and detail in the cloak and robes that drape over David illustrate his wealth. From the stories we are told, Moses led his people through struggles, while David was a medieval king, but even without this knowledge, the detail still expresses the personalities and characteristics of the figures. This is a strong example of the focus of North Europeans on using naturalism to represent the human being.