| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
"Made in Belgium :: Art and Artists"
"Buy Fine Art Books Online"
|
|
 |
|
 |
| | |
|
|
|
|
"Jan van Eyck : Biography and Books"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan van Eyck (ca. 1385–1441) was a 15th century Flemish painter of great renown in his day. It is a common misconception, which dates back to the 16th-century writings of the Tuscan historiographer Giorgio Vasari, that Jan van Eyck created oil painting, but it is true that he achieved new and remarkable effects, or perfected, using this technique.
Jan belonged has often been linked as brother to painter and peer Hubert van Eyck, because both have been thought to originate from the same town, Maaseyck. Another brother, Lambert van Eyck is mentioned in Burgundian court documents, and there is a conjecture that he too was a painter, and that he continued to lead Jan's Bruges workshop for several years following his death.
The date of Jan's birth is not known. The first extant record of Jan is from the court of John of Bavaria at The Hague. It dates to 1422 and mentions a payment to Jan as court painter, which indicates he had to have been born no later than 1395, and indeed probably earlier.
As a painter and "valet de chambre" to the Duke Jan van Eyck was exceptionally well paid. His annual salary was quite high when he was first engaged, but it doubled twice in the first few years, and was often supplemented by special bonuses. Other indications that his art and person were held in extraordinarily high regard is a document from 1435 in which the Duke is scolding his treasurers for not paying Jan his salary, arguing that Jan would leave and that he would nowhere be able to find his equal in his "art and science." The Duke also served as godfather to one of Jan's children, supported his widow upon the painter's death, and years later helped one of his daughters with the funds required to enter a convent.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
