Jan van Eyck

1 8.1

A painter from Flanders who helped start the Flemish school and used new oil painting methods

proper noun

: Jan van Eyck

The famous painter Jan van Eyck created stunning artworks.

Examples

Many art historians regard Jan van Eyck as a master innovator in oil painting techniques.
A trip to Belgium would not be complete without viewing paintings by Jan van Eyck.
The works of Jan van Eyck are celebrated for their intricate detail and brilliant use of color.
Did Jan van Eyck really invent oil painting techniques?
Jan van Eyck is celebrated for his detailed and realistic portrayals in oil paintings.
Many art historians consider Jan van Eyck the father of oil painting techniques.
The famous painting 'The Arnolfini Portrait' is attributed to Jan van Eyck.

Synonyms

Eyck, Jan van

vsJan van Eyck

9.3

A painter from Flanders in the 1400s who used oil paint to make very detailed pictures

is the same person but named with surname first in listings

Surface Forms

Jan van Eyck main

Morphology

Jan + van + Eyck

This is a proper name referring to a specific historical person; knowing the constituent name elements ('Jan', 'van', 'Eyck') does not allow a B1 learner to infer the person’s identity, profession, or historical significance. Although 'van' can signal a Dutch/Flemish name component, that alone does not make the meaning 'Flemish painter' predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Jan van Eyck was a painter in the 1400s who became famous for using 'oil paint' to make very bright colors and tiny, careful details. Think of the small mirror in his best-known portrait and the clear, realistic look he created — that's why people remember him as one of the first great oil painters.