The Renaissance Artist: Jan Van Eyck

Jan Van Eyck was a painter during the Period of the Renaissance. He was born in Maaseik, Belgium which borders Netherlands. Jan was the court painter for John of Bavaria. Research tells us that his date of birth is not known. He was an Early Netherlandish (Flemish) painter diligent in Bruges as well as one of the greatest Northern Renaissance artists of the 15th century and one of the most significant people in his time (The complete works). The Netherlandish painter perfected and developed the methods of using oil painting in his works. Art has helped express his thoughts and emotions. His older brother, Hubert Van Eyck, was also an artist who collaborated his art techniques, creativity and works with his younger brother Jan. At times he would

During the time, Northern Renaissance artworks concentrated on the idea of nature or naturalism. This realistic and down to earth art visually showed the real world. The artist, Jan Van Eyck, endorsed and perfected naturalism in his artwork. In the early times, he painted books for hours, such as small prayer books, like lavish paintings of scared and daily scenes. Not only he was a good painter, he was also very good and creative when it came to expressing his thoughts and emotions. Like the altarpiece which was one of the first examples of naturalism. It was covered in precise, religious paintings, representing the recovery of man and Adam. Jan’s ideas and unique thoughts made an impact and influenced others. His paintings made people and things come to life and look like living creatures, from how the skin appears tanned, to how the bodies created shadows. Since the Ghent Altarpiece was initially shown, the people have been amazed by its realism (The Ghent Altarpiece, Getty Foundation). They were astounded by the exact, humanistic characteristics of the altarpiece, which were extreme progressive works of art at this time. Jan Van Eyck became a famous portrait artist on account of painting people so precisely