This Insanely Detailed Painting Uncovered His Tragic Illness

This piece is called Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele by Jan van Eyck. Joris van der Paele was a wealthy canon of St Donatian Church in Bruges and the man who commissioned this painting. He was very rich but very unwell and thought he was going to die and so he hoped that in creating this painting he could keep his soul alive forever in heaven.

We’re placed in a church with Mary, baby Jesus, St. Donatian, St. George and Joris van der Paele (and a parakeet). Van der Paele appears to have been praying just moments ago. Perhaps the scene before us depicts a vision that came to the Canon during one of his prayer sessions. He likely created this painting also as a sort of medical certificate to excuse him from his duties at church that he was unable to carry out due to his ill health.

Jan van Eyck has injected so much detail in this painting that doctors today have been able to diagnose the canons exact ailments: polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. I hope you all love looking at all of the amazing detail in this painting like I do. Thanks for watching!

Credits:

smoke effect from Vecteezy

[Ctrl_alt_em]

I like when artists paint themselves in reflections in their paintings. It’s a fun detail.

[Shahzad-ssjq]

I didn't know I liked Paintings this much before I found this channel it's always great to look at the history behind each piece

[segbingway]

You know …. I’ve looked at this painting many times over the years and never saw Van Eyck’s self portrait in the reflection. His paintings never cease to amaze me.

[marijo]

I love your videos but I've never felt such a personal bond to a painting before. I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) 7 years ago, but thanks to modern steroid treatment I'm now free of both conditions. So I can empathise with the intense pain, fatigue and immobility that Joris van der Paele suffered every day. Of course he could afford the most expensive medical treatment of the day, but it was probably so useless he would have been better off without it.

[danf]

The detail is insane. The description was fabulous and insightful

[KimberlyLetsGo]

van Eyck is more than a master artist; he was a freaking genius.

[miketartaglio]

The "cloth" that you describe as protecting the book is actually a leather cover that is folded around the book and extends beyond the book to form a bag-like structure to.protect it. It is also used to hang the book from a belt. You can see examples in museums and other paintings.

[Naturalchic]

One afternoon (about a year ago) I was watching one of your videos and my youngest kiddos came to join me. They ended up being hooked and are now so excited when they see copies of art that they recognize from your channel. It's like a scavenger hunt when we visit art museums or any place with hanging art.😊

[daveseddon]

As you point out - the detail is insane! The chainmail is so photo-realistic or should that be hyperrealistic? Once again a brilliant art lesson! 🙂

[AlmightyRawks]

Most expensive doctor's note in history. Beautifully described!!

[ArchAnjell]

Thank you for posting these videos!
You've made art history accessible for those of us who don't have the time, knowledge, or resources to properly dig in.

[nikiTricoteuse]

Brilliant. I love that this was detailed enough to diagnose a medical condition. I remember seeing one painting where the puckering on a woman's breast showed she had the early stages of breast cancer. Sadly, l can't remember which painting it was.

[Everythingbuthegorl]

This is absolutely one of the best channels on YouTube. You teach so easily, I’ve never been as interested in art as you’ve helped me be. Thank you x

[bobbievedvick]

I love this narrator. Her dry humor and detailing the story behind the paintings is fascinating and entertaining. I'm so happy to have come across this channel.

[alissk_]

KEEP ON POSTING, I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!<3

[TheseWhiteNights]

You made me realize how much stories are reflected in art. Love your videos and I wish there was more content like this on Youtube.

[XFD]

Painfully detailed is a good description-

[HeronCoyote]

The details look like they’re in 3-D.
Stunning!

[glenn]

The detail of this painting is amazing. Thanks for this post.

[Wizty]

that self portrait detail is NUTS, jan van eyck u will always be famous