Claus Sluter was the most important northern European sculptor of the 15th century. His art is noted for its monumentalism and realism that combines with spirituality to create a dramatic effect. Sluter's figural sculpture represents a move away from elegant, delicate Gothic forms. His figures are grounded, substantial and realistic quite unlike the ethereal fragility of bodies of Gothic sculpture.
Biography
There is very little biographical information available about Sluter. He is believed to have been born in Haarlem in the county of Holland, Netherlands in 1340s as Claes de Slutere van Herlam and he died in Dijon in 1405-6. Evidence indicates that he joined the Brussels guild of stonemasons and sculptors in 1379.By 1385 he had moved to Dijon, the capital of Duchy of Burgundy, where he gained employment in Jean de Marville's workshop.
At the time of Sluter's arrival in Dijon, Jean de Marville was working on a prestigious large-scale project. As the court artist, he had been commissioned by the Duke to decorate the ducal family monument, the Chartreuse de Champmol , a Carthusian monastery outside Dijon. After Marville's death in 1385, Sluter was appointed the court sculptor and the head of the workshop. From then on he was in charge of the most prestigious monument of Philip the Bold.
Chartreuse de Champmol, Dijon
The Carthusian monastery was built by the Duke of Burgundy to serve as a burial site for the ducal family. Since this was a monumental project, the site became an art center drawing numerous Northern European artists, mainly from France and Netherlands.
Three sculptural compositions executed by Sluter at Champmol stand out more than others: the Church Portal, the Well of Moses and the Tomb of Philip the Bold. All three sculptures bear elements of innovation for which Sluter was acknowledged as the most important sculptor of the 14th century. His sculptural work influenced both sculptors and painters of his era. It is known that Jan van Eyck was one of his admirers emulating Sluter's monumental expressiveness in his paintings.
Church Portal Statues
Figural composition on the central pillar dividing the portal of the family chapel represents the kneeling figures of the duke Philip the Bold and his wife, duchess Margaret of Flanders being presented to the Virgin and Child by their patron saints John the Baptist and Catherine. Unusually, this composition is a free standing group of figures within a church portal.
Well of Moses
Well of Moses (Puits de Moise) was built in the middle of the large 100 metres square cloister of the monastery. This work was a piece of innovative design as well as a great engineering feat.
The fountain was surmounted by a hexagonal plinth on which stood six life-size figures of prophets of the Old Testament who foretold the coming of the Messiah: David, Jeremiah, Moses, Daniel, Isaiah and Zachariah. Six weeping angels are represented above the prophets on each top corner of the base. The hexagonal base was topped with the cornice. The cornice supported the Calvary group. The main feature of the construction was a huge cross with the figure of Mary Magdalene kneeling at its foot.
Duke's Tomb
Duke's alabaster tomb features a recumbent effigy upon a sarcophagus and a procession of 40 robed mourners. Originally placed in the Champmol chapel, it is now displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Dijon.
Legacy
Sluter's work represents a significant shift within the development of European sculpture. His ability to retain elements of spirituality within his newly invented visual forms influenced both sculptors and painters of 15th-century Northern Europe, such as Jan van Eyck.
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