"Walloon historians not unnaturally wish to believe that so early and considerable an artist was of French-speaking origin. They note that the name Campin is not uncommon in Hainault, notably at Valenciennes, where it occurs frequently at this period; and they further, and with obvious force, point out that on a critical occasion our Robert received potent protection from the Duchess of Hainault, when he had been condemned to a year's exile because of his dissolute life. Nevertheless, it is tempting to look elsewhere for his origin. His very name suggests the Limbourg Campine in the neighbourhood of Maastricht, whence came the Van Eycks and the de Limbourgs and other famous artists of this generation. At Maastricht was an important school of art of ancient standing to which all of these men were debtors. Further, when Robert Campin settled at Tournay he brought with him his wife, Isabella of Stockhem, and Stockhem is " a village on the left bank of the Maas within a short distance of Maaseyck." Martin Conway, The Van Eycks and their followers, p.111/112
"At Maastricht was an important school of art of ancient standing to which all of these men were debtors. Further, when Robert Campin settled at Tournay he brought with him his wife, Isabella of Stockhem, and Stockhem is "a village on the left bank of the Maas within a short distance of Maaseyck."
Martin Conway, The Van Eycks and their followers, p.111/112
