This fascinating book looks at the work of Jan van Eyck under a magnifying glass. Each panel is a collection of minuscule details rendered with superb clarity from foreground to background – or at least that is the impression at first glance. As this book reveals, that is precisely where Van Eyck's exceptional talent lies: he understood that the human brain is able to supplement visual perception where necessary.
Here, details from Van Eyck's paintings are organised by such themes as nature, architecture, daily life, the Divine and humankind. Opening with a biographical note and an introduction on the technique of oil painting on panel, the authors explain the significance of the individual details and how Van Eyck achieved his innovative artistic results. This is an unprecedented look at the work of a popular master.