Donor and St. John the Baptist

This panel from the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck depicts Jodocus Vijd, who commissioned the masterwork, kneeling before St. John the Baptist. The donor wears fashionable Burgundian court dress, his hands clasped in prayer, while the Baptist holds a lamb symbolizing Christ. Van Eyck painted both figures with his characteristic microscopic precision.

Including donor portraits in altarpieces allowed wealthy patrons to be perpetually present in sacred scenes. Van Eyck's ability to capture individual likeness and personality revolutionized Northern Renaissance portraiture. This panel remains at St. Bavo Cathedral in Ghent as part of the complete polyptych.