#flemish primitives

An Old Woman (The Ugly Duchess)

ca. 1513 in Antwerp

The Church of Saint Quentin, Tournai (Belgium).

It contains two Late Gothic wooden sculptures depicting the Annunciation from 1428, made by Jean Delemer and painted by Robert Campin, "the earliest example of the Late Gothic style that was to dominate the sculpture of the Netherlands and most of Europe for the following century."’

Circle of Michiel Sittow St. Margaret of Antioch

Gustave Van de Woestyne - The Blind Man (1910)

The Annunciation, attributed to Petrus Christus (Netherlandish, active by 1444–died 1475/76), ca. 1450

Lam Gods, by the brothers Van Eyck

more information about the mysterious Jan Van Eyck- new in history (7/?)

While Jan Van Eyck might be one of the most renowned painters of his day, most of his private life remains a mystery. In only a few contemporary documents, Jan Van Eyck is mentioned. Because there were more people with the name “Jan Van Eyck” in the Low Countries in the first half of the fifteenth century, biographical research on one of the greatest painters of what is now known as the Flemish Primitives or Vlaamse Primitieven, is mostly based on speculations or assumptions. Most of the information we have about him, dates from after his death.

Until now, because new historical research shows us how Jan Van Eyck wrote on the 26th of March 1441, half a year before his death, to pope Eugenius IV. The pope later granted Jan van Eyck and Margaretha, his wife, a perpetual confessional letter; a “penitentiaries maior”. The letter also gives an insight in his potential place of birth. Until now, it is not clear where or when Jan van Eyck was born. This new archival source puts for sure that he was born in the diocese of Liège (making him not flemish at all, at least not in the historical sense but yeah). What this letter also shows is the mentality of Jan Van Eyck. Most painters of his time didn’t write to the pope; in doing so, Jan Van Eyck tried to mimic his rich clients of the high clergy and bourgeoisie. What is even more intriguing is that this privilege was also granted to him. It tells us a lot about his status.