今のベルギーのマースエイクのあたりで生まれたと考えられています。ブルゴーニュ公フィリップ善良公の宮廷画家として仕え、ブルッヘ（ブルージュ）で活躍しました。油絵の具を何層も重ねる技法をみがき、宝石の光や毛皮のやわらかさ、鏡にうつる景色まで、おどろくほど細かく描きました。代表作は「ヘントの祭壇画」や「アルノルフィーニ夫妻の肖像」です。
Jan van Eyck was probably born around Maaseik, in today's Belgium. He worked as court painter to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and lived in Bruges. He perfected the method of building up oil paint in thin layers. He painted the shine of jewels, the softness of fur and even scenes reflected in mirrors in amazing detail. His famous works include the Ghent Altarpiece and the Arnolfini Portrait.
