The Portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy is a small oil-on-panel painting by the renowned Flemish artist, Jan van Eyck. Completed around 1435, it depicts Baldwin of Lannoy, a contemporary Flemish statesman and ambassador for Philip the Good at the court of Henry V of England. The work was commissioned to commemorate his entry into the Order of the Golden Fleece, and remains one of Van Eyck’s few surviving works.
The portrait shows Baldwin in his official robes holding a small book that serves as an emblem of his profession and class. Light falls from the left onto the subject’s face, leaving traces of shadow on one side. This device is commonly found in van Eyck’s early portraits and adds depth to the figure portrayed on panel.
The painting will be on display at Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie from May 2020. Portrait lovers can expect to be captivated by its realistic representation and incredible detail, which reveals Van Eyck’s exceptional skill as a master painter during his time.
