William Henry James Weale was a British art historian who lived and worked most of his life in Bruges and was one of the first to research the Early Netherlandish painting extensively. He was also a pioneer in the study of early bookbinding, and a staunch promoter of Gothic Revival architecture.

Gerard David was an Early Netherlandish painter and manuscript illuminator known for his brilliant use of color. Only a bare outline of his life survives, although some facts are known. He may have been the Meester gheraet van brugghe who became a master of the Antwerp guild in 1515. He was very successful in his lifetime and probably ran two workshops, in Antwerp and Bruges. Like many painters of his period, his reputation diminished in the 17th century until he was rediscovered in the 19th century.