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The altarpiece bears the following inscription:

Pictor Hubertus e Eyck major quo nemo repertus incepit pondusque Johannes arte secundus (frater) perfecit Judoci Vijd prece fretus VersU seXta MaIVos CoLLoCat aCta tUerI

(The painter Hubertus van Eyck, a greater painter than whom there has never been has commenced this work and (his brother) Johannes, second in the art, completed this major task, as commissioned by Jodocus Vijd. With this verse he places in your care that which was accomplished on 6 May 1432)   

Note: the Roman capitals in the last verse form the number 1432.

 


 


 

1432 - JAN AND HUBERT VAN EYCK


This famous painting can be seen in the Saint Bavo cathedral of Ghent. It is considered to be one of the artistic masterpieces in Belgium. It also is considered one of the most influential and beautiful painting of the Middle-Ages and the Flemish painting school. The actual dimensions of the painting when closed are 3.75m x 2.60m, when opened 3.75m x 5.20m.

ABOUT THE PAINTER(S)

'The adoration of the Mystic Lamb' a.k.a. 'The Gent Altarpiece' is mostly attributed to Jan van Eyck. However, a Latin inscription on the border of the painting suggests that it was actually the older brother Hubert who started the work. Not much is known about the brothers van Eyck. It is commonly accepted that they must have come of the town 'Eyck' which is now called 'Maaseik', situated in the Belgian province of Limburg. Jan van Eyck was born around 1390, presumably in Maaseik. He became painter at the court of the duke of Burgundy, Philip the beautiful. Jan van Eyck settled in Bruges in 1432 and died there in 1441.

WHY WAS IT CREATED ?

The altarpiece was painted to decorate the private chapel of a rich couple, Judocus (Joost) Vijd and his wife Elisabeth Borluut. Joost Vijd belonged to the most influential citizens of his town, and his wife belonged to the famous Borluut family of Ghent. Presumably, Joost Vijd ordered the painting already in 1420. On usual weekdays the polyptych was closed. The inside panels were shown to the public on Sundays and religious holidays. From the beginning it drew large crowds to the cathedral. Only recently, the altarpiece has been taken out of its original chapel and is now to be admired in one of the side-chapels at the entrance of the cathedral.

(For further literature about the painting, we strongly recommend the book "The Adoration of the Lamb, The Ghent Altarpiece" by Peter Schmidt, published by Davidsfonds, Leuven, which can be bought in the gift shop of the Saint-Bavo Cathedral of Ghent).

Location : St. Bavo Cathedral (in the left side-chappel)


Admission hours and entrance fees : VisitGent.be

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