Witz, Conrad

Witz, Conrad

(kôn`rät vĭts), fl. c.1434–c.1447, German painter, active at Basel and Geneva. Many of the works attributed to him, such as The Synagogue and the Meeting of Joachim and Anna, can be seen in Basel. The one work that is undoubtedly his is the Saint Peter alterpiece (1444) in the Geneva cathedral. The large altarpieces that are attributed to him reveal stubby figures that recall painted sculpture and settings of steeply recessed perspective or topographically accurate landscapes; he was one of the first artists to attempt realistic landscapes. Witz showed a remarkable understanding of the effects of reflected light on water and landscape. In his realism he is an early follower of van EyckEyck, van
, family of Flemish painters, the brothers Hubert van Eyck, c.1370–1426, and Jan van Eyck, c.1390–1441. Their Lives

Very little is known of Hubert, the older of the two brothers.
..... Click the link for more information.
 and CampinCampin, Robert
, 1378–1444, Flemish painter who with the van Eycks ranks as a founder of the Netherlandish school. He has been identified as the Master of Flémalle on the basis of three panels in Frankfurt-am-Main said to have come from the abbey of Flémalle
..... Click the link for more information.
, although his forms are more abstract and geometric.