This virtual class was one of my favorites because of the level of extraordinary detail that Professor Plesch revealed about Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece. One of the most initially striking elements of the altarpiece is the mobile nature of the piece—a characteristic of Northern altarpieces. When the piece is closed, it is relatively subdued in color, but when the piece opens the colors are explosive, which gives the viewers the experience of witnessing a heavenly vision. I was absolutely astounded by the detail of the clothing and accessories adorning the God figure (judge of the apocalypse) at the center of the inner panels. From the sheen on the pearls to the pelican images of sacrifice behind God, each minute detail brings greater texture and meaning to the painting. The detail that was achieved by van Eyck with his expert use of oil paint is incredible and makes each aspect of the painting feel extremely lifelike. I was absolutely fascinated by the intricacies of the Ghent Altarpiece and hope we have the opportunity to explore more works like this one later in the semester.