The Christ Child

The Christ Child: A Nativity Story

This painting has quite a long name! Known as the Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele and it was painted by Netherlandish artist Jan van Eyck around 1434. As the name suggests, we see an enthroned Madonna and Child in a richly appointed room. On her right is St. Donatian of Reims and on her left, the donor Joris van der Paele and his patron saint St. George. This work was intended as both an altarpiece and a memorial image as the patron was elderly and sickly at the time of his commission.

The Christ Child: A Nativity Story