Idea #788 – Admiring The Mystic Lamb in Ghent
The Adoration of the Mystical Lamb or Altar of Ghent, completed in 1432, is a polyptych painted on wood, a masterpiece of Flemish primitive painting. Since 1986, it has been presented in the old baptistery of Saint Bavo’s cathedral in Ghent, which has been transformed into a vault, following repeated thefts.
Commissioned by Joost Vijdt, a wealthy churchwarden of St. John’s Church (which has since become St. Bavo’s Cathedral), for his wife’s private chapel, the polyptych was started by Hubert van Eyck and finished by Jan van Eyck after the death of his brother in 1426. He is placed on May 6, 1432 on the altar of the chapel of the sponsor, in the church of Saint-Jean. Subsequently, it was moved, for security reasons, to the main chapel of the cathedral. The altarpiece is made up of a total of twenty-four framed panels, which offer the viewer two different scenes, depending on its open or closed position, obtained by folding inwards the panels located at its ends. The upper register of the interior of the altarpiece represents, in red, Christ the King, as Supreme Pontiff reconciling humanity with the Creator. He sits between the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist. To the right and left are two panels depicting musical angels, singing and playing musical instruments. On the outer panels, Adam and Eve. The lower register of the central panel depicts the Adoration of the Lamb of God, by several groups of people deeply absorbed in worship and prayer, all illuminated by a dove representing the Holy Spirit.
On weekdays, the panels were folded back, showing only the Annunciation and the portrait of the donors, Joost Vijdt and his wife, Lysbette Borluut. On Sundays, festive vigils and holidays, the altarpiece was open and revealed its interior panels.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Saint Bavon’s Cathedral, Ghent, Belgium