Jan van Eyck was a master in style and symbolism, establishing a firm superiority in glaze technique and delicately and elaborately applying subtle, yet powerful religious references to what at first glance may seem simple portraits.
Van Eyck's drawing, Saint Barbara, completed in 1437, is an example of the artist's use of fictional exotic or Romanesque style structures, suggestive of those from the Old Testament. (p.99 textbook) Other symbolism includes the walled city that resembles a ziggurat, and on the church, the three windows on the second level, feature the Trinity, the symbolism of their octagonal structure, and baptism.
Use of religious symbolism can be traced in other Van Eyck works. Madonna in the Church, a panel dating to around 1437-38, uses light to represent Mary's purity and purpose. "She is the brightness of eternal light and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty." This was a passage from the Book of Wisdom and can be found inscribed on Mary's red dress.......
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