Nature and the Observant Eye: Van Eyck ’ s Natural History Details

1. Nature and the Observant Eye: Van Eyck’s Natural History Details Joy Kearney The impact of nature In the Ghent Altarpiece nature abounds and Van Eyck paints plants, flowers and birds in intricate detail. Wild birds such as Swallows feature in many of the landscape vistas. In other paintings birds such as Magpies, Peacocks and parakeets fulfill a naturalistic as well as symbolic role. Naturalism is a key element. Detail from the Ghent Altarpiece (1432) showing various species of trees and wild vegetation Natural history versus symbolism Birds are frequently painted for their symbolic connotations. This is certainly the case when birds appear in religious context, but in Van Eyck’s work they are often painted as natural elements in the landscape far removed from their symbolic function. Unless painted in the distance they are generally identifiable as are the plants and trees.This is a measure of Van Eyck’s attention to realism. Above: Two Magpies (Pica pica), lilies and other flowers, the Madonna of Chancellor Rolin, 1435. Centre: Flock of birds, probably swallows (Hirundo rustica), poplars and yews, Ghent altar, 1432 Below: Concert of Birds by Melchior de Hondecoeter Real species in Van Eyck In the Madonna of Canon van der Paele the artist incorporates a real bird, a Ring-necked Parrakeet (Psittacula krameri). These birds were widely kept as pets and in menageries. The parrot in art frequently refers to Christ. Refinement of the genre There was considerable awareness of the natural world in the time of Jan van Eyck, despite the lack of scientific knowledge required to identify species or understand behaviour. This interest in nature and birds in particular reached its zenith in the work of Melchior de Hondecoeter (1636-1695). Ring-necked parrakeet (Psittacula krameri), Madonna of Canon van der Paele, 1436. Detail from Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, 1490-1510, showing several actual species of birds.