Jan van Eyck

Born around 1380 in Maaseik, present-day Belgium. He was highly educated, with knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, which was rare for painters of his time.¹

Jan van Eyck is recorded as being active from around 1422.²

Around 1422, Jan van Eyck was a court painter in The Hague, serving John III, Duke of Bavaria.³

As court painter to Philip the Good, he enjoyed high pay and rare artistic freedom, allowing him to paint 'whenever he pleased' without guild restrictions.¹

He served as a diplomat and secret envoy for the Duke, notably traveling to Lisbon in 1428 to paint Isabella of Portugal for marriage negotiations.¹

He moved to Bruges in 1429, where he married Margaret and produced masterpieces like the Arnolfini Portrait before his death in 1441.¹

He collaborated with his brother Hubert on the Ghent Altarpiece; Jan likely completed the work in 1432 after Hubert's death in 1426.¹

About 20 surviving paintings from 1432–1439 are attributed to him, many signed and dated, marking the shift toward the modern concept of the artist.¹

Léal Souvenir

He used the motto 'ALS ICH KAN' (As I can), a pun on his name, reflecting a level of self-confidence and artistic identity rare for his era.¹

Jan van Eyck's wife, Margaret, was 15 years younger than him, and their first child was born in 1434.³

The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck was created in 1434.²

JulJan van Eyck died on July 9, 1441, in Bruges.³