Jan Van Eyck was a Dutch painter born in 1390 in Maaseyck, Maastricht. Jan’s older siblings were painters, and he received his first art lessons from his older brother Hubert. His first works were book illustrations that won him recognition from notable persons. In the early-1420s, Van Eyck became the court painter to John of Bavaria.
Impressed by Van Eyck’s devotion and ability, Philip the Good appointed him as his court painter after John of Bavaria’s death in 1425. Van Eyck earned the monarch’s trust and went on several journeys for him. He held a lofty position and received hefty wages in addition to the commissions he got commercially.
During his later years, Van Eyck focused primarily on portraiture and was contracted severally by wealthy individuals. His mastery of the art of depictions helped in achieving financial success during this period. In 1431, Van Eyck purchased a house in Bruges and got married. The marriage bore the fruit of ten children.
In 1436, Van Eyck went on his last recorded secret journey for Duke Philip. Van Eyck died on 9 January 1441, leaving a lasting legacy of creating masterpieces and pioneering art in the Netherlands.
What was Jan Van Eyck Known For?
Jan Van Eyck was known mainly for painting portraits for wealthy individuals. Jan became one of the first artists to switch from egg tempera to oil paints, which he mastered. Van Eyck showed his expertise through the accuracy of details in his works and the transitioning of color areas. He is also renowned for his involvement in the naturalism style’s development.
What Art Movement was Jan Van Eyck Associated With?
Jan Van Eyck was associated with Realism and Renaissance art movements.
Jan Van Eyck Artwork
Below are some of the artworks of Jan Van Eyck
Adoration of the Lamb
The Prophet Zacharias and the Angel Gabriel
Donor and St. John the Baptist
Lucca Madonna
Madonna at the Fountain
Saint Barbara
St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata
St. Jerome in his Study
Annunciation
The Arnolfini Portrait
The Birth of John the Baptist
The Crucifixion and Last Judgement Diptych
The Fountain of Life
Portrait of a Man with a Blue Chaperon
The Offerings of Cain and Abel
Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele
All Jan Van Eyck Artwork on Artchive
| Artwork Name | Year | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| The Ghent altarpiece | 1432 | Oil on Wood |
| The Ghent Altarpiece With Doors Closed | 1432 | Oil On Panel |
| Timotheos, Or Portrait Of A Young Man | 1432 | Oil On Panel |
| The Thyssen Annunciation | c. 1436 | Oil On Panel |
| Man With A Pink | 1435 | Oil On Panel |
| Portrait Of Baudouin De Lannoy | 1435 | Oil On Panel |
| The Ghent altarpiece | 1432 | Oil on Wood |
| A Man in a Turban | 1433 | Oil on Wood |
| Portrait of Cardinal Nicolas Albergati | 1431-32 | Oil on panel |
| St Francis Receiving the Stigmata | c.1427 | Oil on Panel |
| Margaretha Van Eyck | 1439 | Oil on Panel |
| St Barbara | 1437 | Oil on Wood |
| The Crucifixion and The Last Judgment | 1425-30 | Oil on Canvas transferred from wood |
| The Madonna with Canon van der Paele | 1434–1436 | Oil on Oak Panel |
| The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin | c.1435 | oil |
| The Annunciation | c.1435 | Oil on Wood |
| Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini | 1435 | Oil on Wood |
| Portrait of Jan De Leeuw | 1436 | Oil on Wood |
| The betrothal of the Arnolfini | 1434 | Oil on wood |
