Discover the Secret World of Jan van Eyck: Top 10 Fun Facts About the Master of Flemish Art

1. Three Layers of Oily Goodness

Who needs Fifty Shades of Grey when you've got Jan van Eyck and his Three Layers of Oily Goodness? While he didn't whip up oil painting from scratch, he definitely made it a sensation: Van Eyck's method of layering semi-transparent paint on his panels, sometimes in threes, gave his works a tantalizing depth and perspective, proudly displayed in his pièce de résistance, the Ghent Altarpiece.
Source => visit.gent.be

2. Glaze'd and Confused Pioneer

If Jan van Eyck were alive today, he might have said, "I've glaze'd and confused the art world!" as his Mona Lisa smirked in the background: Van Eyck was the pioneer of oil painting techniques, developing the art of layering glazes to create stunningly luminous colors and depth. This revolutionary method enabled him to capture unprecedented realism, such as reflections on shiny surfaces, intricate fabric textures, and fantastic interplay between light and shadow.
Source => nga.gov

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3. Ultimate Thirst Trap Self-Portrait

In a world where Instagram influencers were centuries away from being a thing, Jan van Eyck decided to paint the ultimate thirst trap: the self-portrait. But not just any self-portrait – this one featured smoldering eyes, a confident stare, and a cheeky catchphrase to leave his rivals shook: Welcome to "Portrait of a Man (Self Portrait?)", arguably the very first #nofilter masterpiece. The serious reveal: This painting not only showcases van Eyck’s skills but also features the inscription "Als Ich Can," written in Greek letters and found on many of his works, which served to challenge other artists to outdo him while also displaying his own self-consciousness about his artistry.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Medieval Maternity Dress Illusion

Maternity clothes: medieval edition! Contrary to what our eyes might assume when beholding Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait, the woman in the painting isn't actually flaunting a baby bump. The truth: it's just an illusion created by her pose and dome-shaped dress, which was a stylish choice among the ladies of the time. But fear not, pregnancy-chasers - the painting still teases us with hints of potential parenthood through ripened fruit and a tiny wood-carved St. Margaret, patron saint of childbirth, hanging out on the bed frame.
Source => smarthistory.org

5. Trendsetting Kim K of the Art World

Long before Kim Kardashian broke the internet, a medieval painter was turning heads with his trendsetting skills in the world of fine art: Jan van Eyck not only mastered oil painting techniques to create incredibly detailed works, but was also known for his skill in rendering light, shadow, and color, as well as promoting his artistic identity through signatures, personal mottos, and debunked myths about pioneering optical illusions in his renowned "Ghent Altarpiece" painting.
Source => christies.com

6. Brotherly Love and a Solo Masterpiece

Brotherly love in the art world doesn't always "paint" the whole picture: Jan van Eyck, despite being credited alongside his brother Hubert as the co-painter of the Ghent Altarpiece, shouldered the responsibility alone, as Hubert had passed away six years before the masterpiece was completed.
Source => smarthistory.org

7. Self-Branding Renaissance Influencer

Before the Kardashians, there was Jan van Eyck: a master of self-branding. This Northern Renaissance artist could give modern-day influencers a run for their money, signing his paintings with the 15th-century equivalent of "#nofilter" or "#blessed." Bucking the trend of anonymity, Van Eyck signed his works with "JOHANNES DE EYCK" and his own zesty motto, "Als ich kan" (As well as I can), stylishly simulating an etch into the panel's wood. This avant-garde move set the stage for creatives to leave their mark (literally) with a signature touch – talk about being ahead of the game!
Source => theartstory.org

8. Flaunting Wealth Through Fashion

Forget playing dress-up for medieval Vogue: Jan van Eyck's 'Arnolfini portrait' had the merchant couple draped in opulence purely to flaunt their loaded pockets! No fashion-forward intentions here, just a masterful nod to their growing prosperity in the trade-fueled 15th-century society.
Source => artuk.org

9. Lumos Spell in the Art World

Before Harry Potter's Lumos spell illuminated Hogwarts, Jan van Eyck lit up the art world with his dazzling skills: This Renaissance master harnessed the power of directional light in the Ghent Altarpiece to create an illusion of depth and realism, making his paintings truly enchanting.
Source => khanacademy.org

10. OG of Personal Branding

Step aside, Twitter handles and Instagram bios, Jan van Eyck was the OG of personal branding: Jan was among the first artists to sign his paintings with his full name, "JOHANNES DE EYCK," and his personal motto "Als ich kan" – which translates to "As well as I can," showcasing his confidence in his own work and his status as a master painter.
Source => theartstory.org