Monument ter ere van de gebroeders Van Eyck

The Monument to the Van Eyck Brothers depicts the two painters seated on a raised double throne in central Ghent. Hubert holds a Bible while Jan carries his paint palette, and behind them stands a bronze angel holding a laurel crown above a bluestone base.

King Albert inaugurated this monument in 1913 during the Ghent World Exhibition to honor the two brothers as pioneers of oil painting. Their innovations transformed European art and made them among the most influential artists of their time.

The monument faces the cathedral where the famous Ghent Altarpiece originally hung during the 1400s. Standing here, visitors can see how the brothers' work was deeply tied to this sacred space.

The monument sits in a pedestrian area in central Ghent next to Saint Bavo Cathedral, making it easy to reach by foot or public transport. The location also allows for quick visits to other nearby attractions in the historic city center.

The bronze angel standing behind the brothers was an unusual addition for an artist monument of that era. Latin inscriptions on the base convey the importance of the two painters with minimal text, reflecting the artistic style of the time.

Location: Ghent

Inception: 1910s

Creator: Valentin Vaerwyck, Geo Verbanck

Made from material: bluestone, bronze

Address: Geraard De Duivelhof

GPS coordinates: 51.05231,3.72786

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:40