Jan van Eyck Most Famous Paintings
Who is Jan van Eyck?
Jan van Eyck was one of the first masters of the early Northern Renaissance style of painting and was an innovator of what is now known as the Early Netherlandish style of art.
Born in the County of Loon (now Belgium) around 1380; not much is known of van Eyck's early life. Around 1422 van Eyck relocated to the Hague, then Lille, and he finally returned to Bruges around 1429 and lived there until his death in 1441.
While in Lille, he was the court painter for Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, a position that brought him fame. More importantly, it gave him a court salary which allowed him to move away from commissioned work and pursue more of his own artistic interests.
Today art historians conclude that there are around 20 surviving Van Eyck paintings. Van Eyck's works include both secular and religious subjects, sometimes within the same painting. He painted a number of commissioned portraits and was one of the first painters to use what we would now consider a modern portrait style: with the subject front and center in a three-quarter pose. He also painted quite a few purely religious pieces.
Sometimes, some of his commissioned portraits incorporated the subject into a scene with religious figures. His paintings were known for their realism, although he tended to slightly exaggerate certain features (for example, his subjects' heads tended to be larger than normal).
He was a master of capturing textures: whether cloth, metal, or flesh. He was one of the first painters to regularly sign his works, although often his signature was on the frame rather than on the painting itself. He also frequently included his personal motto "ALS ICH KAN", meaning "As well as I can." Unfortunately, many of those frames were lost during the years, leaving most of his paintings effectively unsigned and creating an element of mystery for art historians.
However, because of his distinctive style and mastery of technique; paired with modern scientific tools that can analyze the layers of paint and brushstrokes. As well as, the age and provenance of the wood panels he frequently used; historians have generally come to some consensus about which works are van Eycks.
So without further ado, here are 12 of Jan van Eyck's most famous paintings:
- Portrait of a Man with a Blue Chaperon by Jan van Eyck
- Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata by Jan van Eyck
- Crucifixion and Last Judgement by Jan van Eyck
- The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck
- Portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy by Jan van Eyck
- Madonna of Chancellor Rolin by Jan van Eyck
- Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele by Jan van Eyck
- Lucca Madonna by Jan van Eyck
- Madonna at the Fountain by Jan van Eyck
- Saint Jerome in his Study by Jan van Eyck
- Saint Christopher by Jan van Eyck
- Ince Hall Madonna by Jan van Eyck
Jan van Eyck Artworks
Portrait of a Man with a Blue Chaperon by Jan van Eyck
This painting, done around 1430, depicts a man in a blue chaperon, or hood, holding a ring. Done in what we would recognize as a typical portrait style (though a very innovative style at the time), the subject's gaze is focused on the side of the viewer.
Sometimes referred to as Portrait of a Jeweller, or Man with a Ring, the work is very small and the subject is not identified. The ring in the man's hand was originally believed to signify his profession, but later scholars have come to believe it may, in fact, be an engagement ring.
There was also controversy over the years as to whether the work was actually done by van Eyck or not, but modern imaging techniques have shown that the work is van Eyck's signature style.
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Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata by Jan van Eyck
This work is another unsigned piece, this time, with a religious theme. It depicts Saint Francis of Assisi receiving Christ's stigmata (the wounds of the Crucifixion) on his own hands and feet. This painting highlights van Eyck's signature realism, in the portraits of Saint Francis and his assistant Brother Leo, and the landscape background.
There are actually two nearly identical panels with this painting, one much larger than the other. Although the evidence is circumstantial, the general consensus is that both panels were done by van Eyck sometime between 1430 and 1432.
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Crucifixion and Last Judgement by Jan van Eyck
This work is a diptych, with the left panel depicting the crucifixion and the right portraying the Last Judgement. The work is mainly credited to van Eyck, and is thought to be completed in the early 1430s; although, it's believed that members of van Eyck's workshop finished some areas of the panel after his death.
Quite small in size (56.5x19.7 cm), it's thought to have been commissioned to be an object for private devotion. Some historians believe that the work may have originally been a triptych, with a third panel possibly portraying the Nativity.
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The Annunciation by Jan van Eyck
This painting, originally on a panel but later transferred to canvas, portrays the Virgin Mary receiving a message from the Archangel Gabriel that she will bear the Son of God. It's thought to have been one panel in a triptych, but the other two panels have been lost since 1817.
Scholars believe it was painted sometime between 1434-1436. Although, the majority opinion is that it shows the hallmarks of Jan van Eyck style, there are some prominent art historians who believe it may actually have been painted by his brother, Hubert van Eyck.
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Portrait of Baudouin de Lannoy by Jan van Eyck
This portrait, completed around 1435, is definitively considered a van Eyck work. The subject, Baldwin de Lannoy, was an ambassador of Philip the Good to the court of Henry V of England.
In typical van Eyck style, he is portrayed fairly realistically, without idealized appearance or features. The textures in the painting are highly realistic and rendered in detail, especially the subject's robe.
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Madonna of Chancellor Rolin by Jan van Eyck
This work was commissioned by Nicolas Rolin, who was the chancellor of the Duchy of Burgundy. Completed around 1435, it shows the Virgin Mary, seated on the right, presenting Baby Jesus to Chancellor Rolin, who sits on the left. Above the Virgin Mary, an angel hovers, ready to place an exquisite crown on her head.
As with other van Eyck works, the interior setting and exterior landscape are highly detailed and colorful. The painting is filled with religious symbolism that was typical of the era, such as in the pose of the Madonna holding Christ on her knee.
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Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele by Jan van Eyck
This painting, completed between 1434-1436, is a commissioned work that combines a portrait of the commissioner with religious figures and symbolism.
Joris van der Paele, a scribe in the papal chancery, is shown in the company of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, as well as Saint George, and Saint Donatian. Van der Paele commissioned this work to be an altarpiece that be at his memorial, as he was elderly, and very ill at the time. As with van Eyck's other subjects, van der Paele is portrayed realistically, wearing the white surplice that was typical of style of someone in his position.
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Lucca Madonna by Jan van Eyck
This painting, completed around 1437, is believed to be a panel of a triptych, with the other two panels long lost. It's quite small, leading scholars to believe it was intended as a private devotional artwork; rather than, one intended for public display.
In the painting, the Virgin Mary is nursing baby Jesus. It's thought that van Eyck based the Virgin's portrait using his wife: Margaretha, whom he also portrayed in other portraits.
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Madonna at the Fountain by Jan van Eyck
This painting is legitimate in that it's clearly signed by van Eyck; as well as, dated 1439, removing any uncertainty that it might not be van Eyck work. The work is also very small, measuring 19 cm x 12 cm. It's somewhat unique for a van Eyck's painting in that the Virgin Mary is dressed in blue, while in his other paintings she is dressed in red. Red was the typical choice of the Northern Renaissance painters at the time, while blue was often used in Italian depictions of the Madonna, so this choice reflects a growing Italian Renaissance influence in van Eyck's work.
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Saint Jerome in his Study by Jan van Eyck
This work is attributed to van Eyck's workshop but is dated 1442, one year after the van Eyck's death. It is believed that van Eyck may have personally begun the painting, but it was finished posthumously by his workshop assistants.
The depiction of Saint Jerome in his study is fairly typical for this saint, and he is portrayed with all the items and tools of an educated Renaissance man.
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Saint Christopher by Jan van Eyck
Saint Christopher is shown wading in a stream, carrying Baby Jesus on his shoulders.
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Ince Hall Madonna by Jan van Eyck
This work, although it does bear an inscription with van Eyck's name, as well as his motto, is sometimes regarded to be an imitation of van Eyck's work. The techniques used in the painting are seen as inferior to a true van Eyck's works, especially in terms of perspective and depth. Modern laboratory and imaging techniques also point to the work possibly being an imitation.
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Jan van Eyck Paintings For Sale!
- Léal Souvenir by Jan van Eyck
- Madonna in the Church by Jan van Eyck
- Portrait of Cardinal Niccolò Albergati by Jan van Eyck
- Portrait of Margaret by Jan van Eyck
- Saint Barbara by Jan van Eyck
- The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck
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