Jan van Eyck

Jan van Eyck was a pioneering Flemish painter and a key figure of the Northern Renaissance. Renowned for his meticulous technique and innovative use of oil paints, van Eyck brought unprecedented realism and detail to his art. His masterpiece The Arnolfini Portrait exemplifies his ability to render texture, light, and symbolism with extraordinary precision. Working in Bruges, he served as court painter to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. Van Eyck’s religious panels and altarpieces, such as the Ghent Altarpiece (co-attributed to his brother Hubert), deeply influenced European art. His technical mastery and refinement marked a turning point in painting.