The Madonna and Child, with Canon van der Paele - by EYCK, Jan van - from Groeninge Museum, Bruges . . . . Click to enlarge
The Madonna and Child, with Canon van der
Paele - by EYCK, Jan van - from Groeninge Museum, Bruges . . . . Click to
enlarge
Van Eyck is here concerned
with showing the presence of a vision and therefore of illustrating
the reality of God in our world. Canon van der Paele is shown in the
choir of the collegiate church of Saint Donatian in Bruges, where he
is being presented to the Virgin by Saint George (right) and Saint Donatian
(left).
The Virgin and Child fix their gaze on the Canon.
 The
reliefs and sculptures (shown left, click to enlarge) on the capitals in the background and on the
Virgin's throne all allude to Christ's salvation of humanity. The
depictions on the throne of Adam and Eve, Cain killing Abel, and
Samson fighting the lion, together with the depiction on the
capitals of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, create an Old Testament
framework which allows the observer to reflect on the mercy of God,
Who sent His Son, Christ the Redeemer, into the world. Redemption
from sin (Cain killing his brother) is possible only through the
power of faith (Samson overpowering the lion). The goodness and
grace of God "at the moment of truth" (Abraham sacrificing Isaac)
serves as proof of the redeeming power and presence of servants of
God both celestial (St George) and mortal (Canon van der Paele). The
Virgin is pictured holding a nosegay and her son a parrot -
unmistakable echoes of the Garden of Eden - and both figures have
turned to face the meditating Canon.
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Good people easily believe miracles,
so are the wicked always ready to turn them into ridicule
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