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The Cumaean Sibyl
by Jan van Eyck
StyleNorthern Renaissance
Artwork Details
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Jan van Eyck painted the Cumaean Sibyl as part of the Ghent Altarpiece's upper register. The ancient prophetess, believed to have foretold Christ's coming, appears rendered in grisaille to simulate stone sculpture.
The sibyls were pagan prophetesses whom Christians believed predicted the Messiah. Van Eyck's grisaille technique creates a notable illusion of sculptural relief. His mastery of Early Netherlandish oil painting allowed such trompe l'oeil effects. The panel remains at St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent.
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About The Cumaean Sibyl
This panel remains at St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent as part of the Ghent Altarpiece. Jan van Eyck painted the Cumaean Sibyl as part of the Ghent Altarpiece's upper register.
She was an ancient prophetess whom Christians believed foretold Christ's coming, making her appropriate for a church altarpiece You can see it at St. Bavo Cathedral, Ghent.
Van Eyck used grisaille (gray tones) to simulate stone sculpture, creating a trompe l'oeil effect It's held at St. Bavo Cathedral, Ghent.
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