Jan van Eyck

Definition

Jan van Eyck (c. 1390-1441 CE) was a Netherlandish Renaissance painter who was famous in his own lifetime for his mastery of oil painting, colouring, naturalistic scenes, and eye for detail. Amongst his masterpieces are the 1432 CE Ghent Altarpiece, otherwise known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, and the Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, a tour de force in optical illusions. A pioneer of using oils for realistic effects, his work was influential on Renaissance art but especially on Italian artists in the second half of the 15th century CE.

More about: Jan van Eyck

Timeline

  • c. 1390 - 1441
    The life of the Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck.
  • 1425
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck is appointed the court painter to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy.
  • 1430
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck settles in Bruges.
  • 1432
    The Ghent Altarpiece is completed by the Netherlandish Renaissance artists Jan van Eyck and Hubert van Eyck.
  • 1433
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck paints his self-portrait The Man with a Turban.
  • 1434
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck paints The Arnolfini Wedding portrait.
  • c. 1435
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck paints The Virgin of Chancellor Rolin.
  • 1436
    The Netherlandish Renaissance artist Jan van Eyck paints his Madonna with Canon van der Paele.
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