The Cumaean Sibyl

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.