Art Analysis of the Northern Renaissance


               Portrait of a Man (Self-Portrait?), oil on oak by Jan van Eyck, 1433; in the National Gallery, London.


Jan Van Eyck is, undeniably, one of the most famous artists of the North Renaissance period. His assumed self-portrait piece, Portrait of a Man, depicts humanism at its finest. As we learned in our Northern and Italian Renaissance unit, there was a strong focus on humans at this time. Van Eyck's details of his own face really bring him to life for the average citizen, from the wrinkles on his face to the stern look in his eye. I immediately noticed his blood shot eyes. I thought about how this artist may be a middle-aged man who has been up late hours painting and has not slept well. At the same time, his bold, red turban on his head gives a sense of royalty, which was also important at this time. I also find it interesting that the turban is wrapped around his head in a very sloppy manner despite his posture being so upright and his appearance seeming so regal. This is another great example of humanism in his artwork. One of the most fascinating aspects of Van Eyck's piece is his signature he included. "The artist put in an unusually large signature on this work, perhaps underlining his delight with the finished piece. His use of Als Ich Can (intended as 'as I/Eyck can') was his standard signature, but it would normally be added much more subtlety. That is placed at the top of the artwork" (Gurney 2020). 

While this piece is incredibly striking, I would not want to display this in my home. To me, the darkness surrounding him, along with his facial expression, is somewhat depressing and dreary. I do think it is a completely appropriate piece to hang over a fireplace mantle or in an already dimly lit study or library, as the color of his face would be a bright spot in the room.


Bibliography

Gurney, Tom. "A Man in a Turban." 19 June 2020. https://www.thehistoryofart.org/jan-van-eyck/man-in-a-turban/.

Kessler, Herbert Leon. "Jan van Eyck:  Netherlandish Painter." 14 September 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jan-van-Eyck




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