description Ghent Altarpiece Overview
The Ghent Altarpiece, created by Jan and Hubert van Eyck in 1432, is a significant religious artwork housed in St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent. This large polyptych features intricate detail and innovative use of oil paint, marking a key development in Northern Renaissance art. It's notable for its complex narrative depicting the Adoration of the Magi alongside scenes from the Passion of Christ.
The altarpiece remains an important object of study for art historians and those interested in early 15th-century religious iconography.
help Ghent Altarpiece FAQ
Who painted the Ghent Altarpiece, Hubert or Jan van Eyck?
An inscription attributes the commission first to Hubert van Eyck and says Jan completed it in 1432. Scholars continue to debate precisely how the work was divided between the brothers.
What scene appears when the Ghent Altarpiece is opened?
Its opened panels center on the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, with groups converging on an altar in a richly detailed landscape. The upper register includes a monumental enthroned figure, the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist, angels, Adam, and Eve.
Which panel of the Ghent Altarpiece was stolen?
The lower-left panel showing the Just Judges was stolen from St. Bavo's Cathedral in 1934. The original remains missing, and visitors see a replacement painted by Jef Van der Veken.
Where can visitors see the Ghent Altarpiece today?
The polyptych is displayed at St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, for which it was originally commissioned. A major conservation campaign has revealed details obscured by later overpaint and varnish.
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