The artwork, titled “The Ghent Altarpiece, The Virgin Mary,” was created by Jan van Eyck between 1426 and 1429. Executed in oil on wood, this piece is emblematic of the Northern Renaissance art movement and belongs to the religious painting genre. It is part of the larger series known as “The Ghent Altarpiece” and is presently housed in St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium.
In this panel, The Virgin Mary is depicted with a resplendent aura befitting her sanctity. She is adorned with an intricately jeweled crown, surrounded by a golden halo inscribed with Latin text, emphasizing her divine role. Her attire is rich and meticulously detailed, dominated by deep, opulent blue with ornamental borders lined with precious stones. The Virgin is captured in a moment of serene devotion, engrossed in reading a book. The artist has rendered her facial expression and posture with a lifelike precision, reflecting both her piety and regal bearing. The backdrop, textured and detailed, further accentuates her divine presence. Through delicate brushwork and a masterful application of light and shadow, Jan van Eyck brings to life the spiritual gravity and reverential beauty of The Virgin Mary.
