The Ghent Altarpiece is impressive in so many ways, but what stood out to me the most was Van Eyck’s usage of the church where the altarpiece would’ve been placed as part of the viewer’s experience. I find this to be a very crafty method by Jan Van Eyck because I think this is a great way to illuminate the painting while maintaining a sense of naturalism. While Jan Van Eyck uses a golden semicircle placed behind the three largest figures on the front of the altarpiece to show their divinity. This is a step ahead from the entirely gilded backgrounds seen in works such as Rogier van der Weyden, Entombment where the background is unnaturally gold. In contrast, light from the windows hit the Ghent’s Altarpiece at the center which illuminates the center figures so there isn’t a need for an overwhelming amount of gold.
Furthermore, Jan Van Eyck’s careful placement of Adam and Eve where they’re placed on the panels flanking the central panels creates a natural darkening because the figures are turned away from the natural light. I find it incredible how Van Eyck is able to use light and shade to illuminate and darken figures based on their biblical stories.