Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter who lived during the early 1400s, one of the most important artists of the Northern Renaissance. He was born around 1390, probably in what is now Belgium, and worked for powerful rulers, including the Duke of Burgundy. Van Eyck was known for his extraordinary attention to detail and his skill with oil paints, a medium he helped to perfect. His ability to create light, texture, and lifelike surfaces made his paintings seem almost real.

One of his most famous works is The Arnolfini Portrait, which shows a man and woman standing in a richly decorated room. The painting is filled with realistic details — from the shine on the chandelier to the reflection in a tiny mirror — showing van Eyck’s incredible craftsmanship. Another of his masterpieces, The Ghent Altarpiece, created with his brother Hubert, is one of the most celebrated religious artworks of all time.

Jan van Eyck’s work changed the course of European art. His use of light, perspective, and naturalistic detail influenced generations of painters who came after him. He died in 1441 in Bruges, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists and art lovers more than 500 years later.