Hubert van Eyck
Hubert van Eyck likely entered the world in Maaseik, a town now located within Belgium's Limburg province. Records from 1409 identify him as Magister Hubertus Pictor receiving payment for church panels in Tongeren. This document places his professional activity early in the fifteenth century while he was still establishing himself. He may have been born into gentry status given the uncommon nature of his family name. No children survived to inherit his estate, leading some scholars to suggest he held minor religious orders. By the time he settled in Ghent, he had already begun work on what would become his most famous commission.
Town magistrates visited Hubert's workshop in 1425 to review two commissioned painting designs. The resulting altarpiece remained unfinished until six years after his death when Jan completed it in 1432. An inscription once declared Hubert maior quo Nemo reports meaning greater than anyone started the work. Jan later called himself arte Secundus or second-best in art upon finishing the project. The original frame bearing these words disappeared during the beeldenstorm iconoclastic riots of 1566. Modern viewers often interpret this inscription as an overgenerous tribute from brother to brother rather than historical fact. Several other artists likely contributed to the final piece alongside the van Eyck brothers.
Art historian Bryson Burroughs wrote in 1933 that Hubert created the underdrawing for the Ghent Altarpiece while Jan painted over it. This view remains common among specialists despite modern scientific investigations revealing changes between finished layers and lower painted levels. Various techniques now distinguish Hubert's initial sketches from Jan's completed surfaces. The difficulty lies in using such a complex work for comparison when assessing other attributions. Multiple hands appear detectable within the Turin-Milan Hours and other pieces attributed to their workshops. Scholars continue debating how much of surviving unsigned works belong to early Jan versus Hubert.
Hubert died on or before the 18th of September 1426 at approximately thirty years old. He was buried in Saint Bavo's Cathedral next to his sister Margareta according to sixteenth-century writer van Vaernewijck. A copper inscription recording his death date once graced his tombstone but has since vanished. Local tradition preserved his arm as a relic inside a casket above the cathedral portal. Van Vaernewijck also recorded that Jan received training from his brother though Jan first appeared documented in August 1422 already working as master in The Hague. His heirs paid taxes relating to properties held in Ghent after his passing.
Scholars have debated dividing surviving works between Hubert, early Jan, and other painters for five centuries. Nineteenth and early twentieth century critics usually accepted the altarpiece inscription at face value. Most unsigned works now given to Jan's early years were previously attributed to Hubert during that period. Mid-twentieth century saw strong tendencies to attribute work away from Hubert entirely. Recent decades show him making something of a comeback among specialists despite wide ranges of opinion remaining today. Drawings in Vienna's Albertina museum depicting Apostles continue to be attributed to him while British Museum holds copies of lost Capture of Christ scenes related to parts of the altarpiece.
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Common questions
Where was Hubert van Eyck born and what is his early professional history?
Hubert van Eyck likely entered the world in Maaseik, a town now located within Belgium's Limburg province. Records from 1409 identify him as Magister Hubertus Pictor receiving payment for church panels in Tongeren.
When did Hubert van Eyck die and where was he buried?
Hubert died on or before the 18th of September 1426 at approximately thirty years old. He was buried in Saint Bavo's Cathedral next to his sister Margareta according to sixteenth-century writer van Vaernewijck.
Who completed the Ghent Altarpiece after Hubert van Eyck died?
The resulting altarpiece remained unfinished until six years after his death when Jan completed it in 1432. An inscription once declared Hubert maior quo Nemo reports meaning greater than anyone started the work while Jan later called himself arte Secundus or second-best in art upon finishing the project.
What evidence exists regarding Hubert van Eyck's role in creating the Ghent Altarpiece underdrawing?
Art historian Bryson Burroughs wrote in 1933 that Hubert created the underdrawing for the Ghent Altarpiece while Jan painted over it. Various techniques now distinguish Hubert's initial sketches from Jan's completed surfaces despite modern scientific investigations revealing changes between finished layers and lower painted levels.
How have scholars attributed unsigned works to Hubert van Eyck versus early Jan?
Scholars have debated dividing surviving works between Hubert, early Jan, and other painters for five centuries. Drawings in Vienna's Albertina museum depicting Apostles continue to be attributed to him while British Museum holds copies of lost Capture of Christ scenes related to parts of the altarpiece.