Petrus Christus: A Developer of the Interior Space
Netherlandish painter Petrus Christus (born c. 1410/20, Baarle – died c. 1475/75, Brugge) is believed by some scholars to have been the pupil of Jan van Eyck--although it is debatable. In any case, he was most definitely heavily influenced by Van Eyck--as well as by Rogier van der Weyden. While lacking the power of these other masters--Christus does count among his best works his portraits--which place his sitters in clearly defined interiors. This represents a significant stylistic departure from the dark backgrounds of his day. Christus also created the earliest dated example of the use of geometric perspective, with a single vanishing point, in the north.
Follow this link to read some interesting details about about Christus' "St Eligius in His Workshop" (top image).