EYCK, Jan van
(b. before 1395, Maaseik, d. before 1441, Bruges)

Last Judgment

1420-25
Oil on wood transferred to canvas, 56,5 x 19,5 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Crucifixion and the Last Judgment (also in the Metropolitan Museum) were the side wings of a triptych, the central panel of which is lost. The attribution to Jan van Eyck is debated.

These two small pictures conjure up a veritable microcosm. Every detail is observed with equal interest - from the alpine landscape to the slender body of Christ and the emotions of the various figures. The raised lettering on the original frames forms quotations from Isaiah on the Crucifixion and from Revelations and Deuteronomy on the Last Judgment.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes):
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem K 626: Dies irae