The Ghent Altarpiece was painted for seven years by Jan Van Eyck. The sizeable religious art is considered to be the most sought after piece of European art, dating from 1432. It consists of twelve painting panels interconnected through hinges. The twelve panels all seem to stand alone while at the same time interestingly showing interdependence. Van Eyck portrays mastery of lights, material variations and utilization of the rear and front surfaces. The end product to this thorough and attention to detail from the artist results in a mystic masterpiece that puzzles viewers and is subject to multiple discussions. It is astonishing to note that the altarpiece has weathered tribulations that threatened its existence. Out of the 12 panels of painting, only one is missing, after several centuries since the art was made.
With a relatively large measurement of an approximate of eleven by fifteen feet, the painting done with oils, can either be left open or closed. When open, the viewer is awed by an immense explosion and implementation of red and green colours to illustrate religious symbolism. Just like in the Bible, the Christian holy book, artists of the renowned altarpiece arrange their painting from Adam on the left, and Eve on the far left. The whole piece of art illustrates a spiritual journey and story from the symbolic creation of humankind to their salvation through Christ. Both Adam and Eve are depicted as naked, perhaps symbolizing human’s vulnerability, weakness and that there is nothing they can hide from God.
On top of Adam and Eve’s panel, there is an illustration of Cain and Abel, just like in Genesis. Jan Van Eyck tries to let the viewers see a link between the old and New Testament. In the Old Testament, we are treated to paintings that illustrate the presence of God sitting on a throne and wearing a crown, like that worn by priests. Looking keenly at the portrait of God, next to His hand, the painter illustrates a bird that seems to be biting itself. In the bible, the salvation story demonstrates that God, the Father, gives his son to die for the sins of men. Therefore, the writer, through the bird’s self-biting, shows how God sacrificed his own to save humans. On either side the painting of God, there are paintings of the Virgin Mary and John. Jan Van Eyck tries to highlight that humans are closer to God, perhaps more than other spiritual beings.
Jan Van Eyck illustrates, through the use of oil painting, the importance of worship. He paints angels, playing instruments and singing, visibly through varying facial expressions, in different tones. Pictures that contains angels singing are on either side of God the Father, who appears to sit with a sceptre in hand and a crown at his feet. Jan Van Eyck pictures keen attention to various details of the painting. For instance, the material constituting the clothes worn by the angels are made of high-quality golden embroidery. Moreover, the instruments played by the angels and the stand holding a book contains high quality and beautiful handcrafted pieces of artwork. The artists enable viewers to appreciate the incorporation of art within another painting.
Each of the twelve panels is rich in art that requires an eagle eye to notice and interpret. One part of each painting is an extension of another. For example, the open picture contains the Virgin Mary reading from some book that is veiled in green clothing. On her head, she wears a colourful crown that is surrounded by lilies to symbolize her purity. On the rear side of the painting when closed, there is a painting of Angel Gabriel conveying the news of the coming of Christ to Mary. Angel Gabriel carries a bouquet of fresh lilies to illustrate the purity of Mary. This is the second time flowers are used within the painting to convey a particular message to viewers.
The top left painting comprising of Cain and Abel, Adam’s first sons give offerings to God. Offerings are a central item in the Christian religion. Abel offers a lamb while Cain provides some sort of grain. On the top right, the painter illustrates Cain Killing Abel while just below, Eve is holding some fruit that. Either side of the top part of the altarpiece tells a story on how humans fell into sin. After sinning, the artist illustrates that they needed to an offering to atone for their fall. The top and bottom parts of the painting contain a lamb offered to God as a sacrifice to the atonement of sins. However, the lower painting comprising of five panels highlights the importance of Christ in saving different kinds of men and women. The upper part of the art set stage for activities that happen on the lower set of panels.
The fact that the whole masterpiece was created for display in a cathedral illustrates the painters’ commitment to highlighting the importance of art in religion. It consists of angels singing, martyrs, saints and prophets surrounding Christ. When closed, the painting contains eight panels that illustrate angelic beings, prophets and saints in prayer mood. We could interpret that, the artist wanted to demonstrate the importance of prayer to a typical Christian even when cathedrals are closed using the two saints on either end of the closed painting. Moreover, the art, when closed suggests that humans should maintain communication within spiritual realms. On the top deck, Mary communicates with angel Gabriel, a spiritual being while the lower panels comprise of saints seemingly in prayer. Each of them has knelt in reverence when approaching the presence of God. We see that Mary communicates to God through the words coming from her mouth. The words are inverted, illustrating that they are meant to be read by someone from Above. According to Christian teachings, God resides in heaven, located above the earth. In communication with God, a dove appears above Mary to illustrate the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Jan Van Eyck applies symbolism multiple through the altarpiece. Through this symbolism, he tries to elegantly tell the story from creation to salvation, depicting how humans sinned and how God intervened to bring salvation. Through art, Jan Van Eyck illustrates and combines stories from the old and New Testament in one complex piece of art. Applying a keen eye to the artwork, a person can see prophets, angels, God and common men. Incorporating spiritual and physical elements is an illustration of everyday activities in the real world. Van Eyck creates a relationship between the spiritual and physical world through the magnificent application of art. I consider the painting to the best method of telling the Christian story without using words. All parts of the altarpiece intertwine to narrate about the salvation of humans in a unique and exciting artistic approach. Jan Van Eyck makes art breathtaking, mysterious and informative.