Jan Van Eyck

By: Kasey Paine

Background Info/ Achievements

• Said to come from around the village of Maaseyck in Limbourg

• Had an older brother who was also a painter named Hubert

• Had no training in art that we know of• Had no knowledge in laws of mathematical

perspective but perspective of light which made his objects in his paintings have more depth

• One of the most famous painters of his age• Was known for the realities and textures of the face

The Adoration of the Lamb

(1432)This picture is an altarpiece; painted on both sides. It is the largest and most complex produced in the Netherland in the fifteenth century. This masterpiece still hangs in its original spot- the Cathedral of St. Bavo in Ghent.

Starting of Career• (1422) he was employed at the court of John

of Bavaria, count of Holland, at The Hague• (1425) was made court painter and valet de

chambre to Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy• (1428-29) became a close member of the

duke's court and received trips to Spain and Portugal

• (1432-39) was when all of his paintings are oil and varnished

The Arnolfini Marriage

(1434) The Arnolifin Marriage is a oil portrait. This painting’s idea is interesting because it’s said that this painting was known as a ‘wedding certificate’ for Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami, who married in Bruges in 1434. He was an Italian merchant, she the daughter of an Italian merchant. It is significant because it is oil on wood which is one of the styles Eyck was known for. This was one of Eyck’s most famous paintings.

Accomplishments and Contributions

• One of the first founders of Flemish school• Perfected the art of oil paint• His paintings contained an ‘inner sense of life’

and was not just painted from a scene• Some of his panel paintings made extensive use

of disguised religious symbols• Was one of the first painters in the Renaissance

to paint in oils and also perfect the technique

The Man in a Red Turban

(1433) This portrait was oil on canvas. Man in a Red Turban is one of Eyck’s non-religious paintings, but a self portrait. He wanted to paint it as real as possible. For this reason he did not want it to seem as if he was perfect but as a man would appear as true as possible.

Techniques/Practices

• He was all about detail and observation• Perfected the art of oil paint by applying paint in

transparent layers which gave more color, intensity, highlights, and half tones

• Imitated nature not by using perspective, like the Italians, but by simply observing reality and portraying details as best as he could

• Was known for the realities and textures of the face• His Flemish art characteristic was the texture of things

such as flowers, rocks, jewels, fabrics and metals

The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin

(1433-34) This painting of Eyck’s was made oil on wood in Musee du Louvre in Paris, France. This painting is a picture of Phillip the Good, duke of Burgundy worshiping baby Christ whose sitting in Mary, Jesus mother. This is one of Eyck’s famous religious painting.