Van Eyck, Jan (c.1390-1441)
The Madonna with Canon van der Paele (Madonna met kanunnik Joris van der Paele)
1436
Oil on panel, 124.5 x 160 cm / 148 x 184 cm (framed)
Groeningemuseum, Bruges
Inscriptions:
Bible quote (top of list): HEC E[ST] SPECIOSOR SOLE + SVP[ER] O[MN]EM STELLARV[M]DISPOSIC[I]O[N]EM LVCI [COM]PA[RA]TA I[N]VE[N]ITVR P[R]IOR. CA[N]DOR E[ST] ENI[M] LVCIS ETERNE. + SPEC[V]L[V]M S[I]NE MAC[V]LA D[E]I, MAIES[TA]TIS.
inscription (left on frame): SOLO P[AR]TV NON[VS] FR[ATRVM. MERS[VS]VIV[VS] REDDIT[VR] + RENAT[VS] ARCH[IRPISC]O[PV]S PR[I]M[US]. REMIS CONSTITVITVR QVI NV[N]C DEO FRUITVR.
inscription (right): NATVS CAPADOCIA XP[IST]O MILITAVIT. MVNDI FVG[I]E[N]S OCIA. CESVS TRUMPAVIT. HIC DRACONEM STRAVIT.
name of the person portrayed, the position of the person portrayed, house mark and date (at the bottom): Hoc op[us] fecit fieri mag[iste]r Georgi[us] de Pala hui[us] ecclesie canoni[ci] p[er] iohanne[m] de eyck pictore[m]. Et fundauit hic duas capell[an]ias de g[re]mio chori domini. m.cccc.xxxiiij. c[om]p[le]t[um] au[tem]. 1436
inscription (bottom): S[AN]C[TV]S DONACIANVS ARCHIEP[IS]C[OPVS].
inscription (bottom): S[AN]C[TV]S GEORGIVS MILES C[H]R[IST]I.
Inscription (left): a[…]
inscription (bottom left): XP ihs
inscription (right): ADONA[I]
Jan van Eyck is the most famous Flemish Primitive. At the beginning of the 15th century, he was court painter to the Burgundian duke Philip the Good. After the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, this is his largest surviving work. In the centre is Mary and Child. On the left flanked by Saint Donatian, the patron saint of the Bruges church for which Van Eyck painted this masterpiece. On the right, by canon Joris van der Paele and his patron saint Saint George.
Van Eyck‘s realism is impressive. The details are razor sharp. Note the reflections in Saint George’s helmet and armor.
The frame is original and contains the name of the artist, very innovative in the 15th century. (Groeningemuseum)
See also:
• Paele, Joris van der (c.1370-1443)