EYCK, Jan van
Flemish Northern Renaissance Painter, ca.1395-1441
Painter and illuminator, brother of Hubert van Eyck. According to a 16th-century Ghent tradition, represented by van Vaernewijck and Lucas d'Heere, Jan trained with his brother Hubert. Pietro Summonte's assertion (1524) that he began work as an illuminator is supported by the fine technique and small scale of most of Jan's works, by manuscript precedents for certain of his motifs, and by his payment in 1439 for initials in a book (untraced) for Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. Jan is first documented in The Hague in August 1422 as an established artist with an assistant and the title of 'Master', working for John III, Count of Holland (John of Bavaria; reg 1419-25), who evidently discovered the artist while he was bishop (1389-1417) of the principality of Liege.
ID: 64773 The Ghent Altarpiece 1425-29 Oil on wood, width 37 cm Cathedral of St Bavo, Ghent The scene at top of the niche containing the figure of Adam depicts in grisaille the Offering of Abel and Cain. The scene prefigures both the sacrifice of Christ and the Eucharist. , EYCK, Jan van , The Ghent Altarpiece: The Offering of Abel and Cain , 1401-1450 , Flemish , painting , religious
