The 50 Paintings Project



Painting # 22

Portrait of a Man in a Red Turban

 by 

Jan Van Eyck

 

Painted by Jan (pronounced Yan) Van Eyke a Netherlandish Painter . 

This is a self portrait  and was painted on 21st October 1433 to be very precise .

So it is  almost 584 years old. 

Presently housed in the National Gallery London.

Look at the tiny cracks that have developed over time...

If you happen to visit the National Gallery in London do check out the frame of this painting which is just as special as the painting itself.

Its wood has survived over 500 years . 

There is an inscription on it which looks like the wood has been carved but actually its just paint. 

Jan Van Eyck was known for putting inscriptions in his paintings and frames which has many art historians busy trying to decipher the meaning.

On this frame on top you can see an inscription which was Van Eyke's personal Motto

AS                                I                          CAN

And at the bottom is an inscription in latin which says 

Jan Van Eyck ME FACIT

which means 

Jan Van Eyck MADE ME

Then there is the date in Arabic and that's how we know this painting was completed on 21st October 1433 .

See you next week :)