Transcript

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Jan van Eyck

(about 1390-1441)

Serena B., Amiela Nicole D.

+Characteristics

Signs and dates his pictures, which was unusual at the time

Writes words or phrases on his art

Has a good sense of visual texture; each surface looks like a different texture

Can portray direct and diffused light, as well as shadows associated with it (known as pictorial illusionism)

All of his painted subjects are in a three-quarter pose, facing slightly away from the viewer

+ The Annunciation, 1434-1436. Oil on

wood, transferred to canvas The angel Gabriel tells the Virgin Mary that

she’ll conceive Christ

Words are written on the piece; Gabriel says “Hail Mary, full of grace”. Mary’s response– behold the handmaiden of the Lord”– is upside down so God can see her response

Most depictions of the annunciation occur in the Virgin Mary’s home, with both Gabriel and Mary being far apart; here, they are in an elaborate church and are much closer The close proximity gives a sense of intimacy

and privacy

+ The Annunciation, 1434-1436. Oil on

wood, transferred to canvas Symbolism in the Upper Story:

The Romanesque architecture in the form of round-arched windows, passes into the more newer Early Gothic architecture below to further the point of transitioning from the Old to New Testament

The upper story of the building is dark with a single stain glass window depicting God represents the Old Testament

+ The Annunciation, 1434-1436. Oil on

wood, transferred to canvas Symbolism in the Lower Story:

Is brighter in comparison since it’s lit up by the “Light of the World”

The three windows represent the Trinity, and may refer to the coming of the New Testament

The floor tiles depict Old Testament events such as David beheading Goliath, as well as the Philistine temple being destroyed, which may be an allegory to what Jesus would do later on

+ The Annunciation, 1434-1436. Oil on

wood, transferred to canvas Symbolism in the Foreground:

The lilies near the Virgin Mary represents her innocence and purity

Lilies are also on Gabriel’s robes; this represents Mary

The dove of the Holy Spirit descends on rays of light; one ray of light reaches the Virgin Mary’s head, signifying that she now conceives the son of God

+Bibliography

Brommer, Gerald. Discovering Art History. Worcester: Davis Publications, Inc, 1997. Print.

Cork, Richard. “Old Subject, New Approach”. The Wall Street Journal March 22, 2013. Web.

“Jan van Eyck: Flemish Painter”. Visual Arts Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.

Jones, Susan. “Jan van Eyck (ca. 1390-1441” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000. Web. 9 Apr 2014.

Klip, Ronald. “Jan van Eyck: The Annunciation (Washington)” Art and the Bible. Art and the Bible. 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

“The Annunciation”. National Gallery of Art. National Gallery of Art, n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.


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