_Dierick Bouts_ (Early Flemish: about 1410-1475).
Dirk Bouts, Thieiri Bouts, Dierick of Haarlem, or Thieiri
Stuerbout (by all of which names he has been called) was Dutch
by birth, being born at Haarlem. At some unknown date he
migrated to Flanders, and established himself at Louvain, where
he was appointed Painter to the Town. In 1468 he delivered
to the Council two beautiful pictures (now in the Museum of
Brussels) representing "The Judgment of the Emperor Otho." His
colouring, says M. Havard, "is clear and brilliant. Red and
green assume under his brush the brilliancy of the ruby and the
emerald. His draperies are of unusual softness, and have none
of that stiffness of fold which is peculiar to Jan van Eyck and
some of his pupils. His flesh tints are of a warm and vivid
tone, and his shadows are remarkably transparent. But his merit
is manifested especially in his picturesque and original manner
of arranging his compositions. He is besides remarkable for the
care and distinctness with which he treats the landscapes in
the background of his pictures." Little is known of his life,
and the ascription of various works to him is conjectural. To
him, in the latest revision of labels in our Gallery, are now
attributed Nos. 664, 774, and 943.