Roger van der Weyden was a prominent Flemish painter of the Northern Renaissance, born around 1400 in Tournai, Belgium. He is known for his detailed and emotive religious paintings, which often feature rich colors and intricate compositions. His work significantly influenced the development of oil painting in Europe. Van der Weyden's most famous pieces include The Descent from the Cross and The Portrait of a Man. He was a master of capturing human emotion, which made his subjects feel more relatable. His style laid the groundwork for later artists, including Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch.