The Ghent Altarpiece (interior) 1432

Jan van Eyck painted the interior of the Ghent Altarpiece, located here in St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, in the early 15th century. At the time, Europe was in the midst of the early Renaissance, and the Catholic church was one of the primary patrons of the arts. The Ghent Altarpiece is composed of multiple panels, each filled with symbolic representation related to Christian theology. We see God, Mary, and John the Baptist in the upper register, surrounded by a heavenly host. The naked figures of Adam and Eve occupy the end panels, shamed by their sin. In the lower register, people from all walks of life gather to adore the Lamb of God, who represents Jesus Christ. Van Eyck painted it with incredible attention to detail, creating rich textures and luminous colors. Consider how van Eyck has maintained traditional representations of religion while pushing them into new narratives by depicting the beauty of the natural world and the diversity of human experience. This is a truly moving and inspirational devotional work.