Jan van Eyck
c. 1395–1441 · Renaissance & Mannerism
Biography
Jan van Eyck (c. 1390–1441), court painter to the Duke of Burgundy in Bruges, perfected oil painting and created portraits and religious works of unprecedented detail. Little is known about his brother Hubert.
From the page of Ghent Altarpiece (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb)
Van Eyck’s exceptional talent was generously rewarded throughout his life. His first recorded employer was the Duke of Bavaria, who appointed him court painter in the early 1420s. After the duke’s death in 1425, Van Eyck moved to Bruges, in present-day Belgium, and entered the service of one of the most influential rulers of Europe at the time, the Duke of Burgundy. He received a high salary and in return did not have to do anything, since the duke regarded him as irreplaceable and feared he might otherwise leave. Interestingly, Van Eyck was also one of the duke’s most trusted diplomats. His missions took him all over Europe, helping to spread his artistic reputation widely. In 1428 he played an important part in preparing the marriage of the duke and Isabella of Portugal; in 1433 he married himself and had several children. The duke held his chief confidant in such high esteem that he became godfather to one of Van Eyck’s daughters.
From the page of The Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck (c. 1390–1441), court painter to the Duke of Burgundy in Bruges, perfected oil painting and created portraits and religious works of unprecedented detail.
From the page of The Madonna of Chancellor Rolin
