Artwork

Copy of a detail from the Ghent Altarpiece, Isabelle Borluut, by Hubert and Jan van Eyck in the church of St Bavon, Ghent.

Copy of a detail from the Ghent Altarpiece, Isabelle Borluut, by Hubert and Jan van Eyck in the church of St Bavon, Ghent. is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Christian Schultz. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolour painting is a 19th-century copy of a detail from the Ghent Altarpiece, a significant work by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour painting is a 19th-century copy of a detail from the Ghent Altarpiece, a significant work by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Created by Christian Schultz in 1864, it reproduces the figure of Isabelle Borluut.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a serene woman in a red dress with green sleeves and a white head covering, her hands clasped in prayer. The Gothic arch behind her suggests a sacred context, maintaining the devotional mood of the original.

Technique & Style

Schultz's watercolour faithfully captures the calm atmosphere of the original, with the dark background highlighting the subject's attire. His attention to detail and colour ensures the copy conveys the quiet, contemplative mood of the source material.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by the Arundel Society, the watercolour was published in 1869 under the supervision of Schultz and direction of Hangard-Mauge. It was created in 1864, reflecting 19th-century interest in reproducing and disseminating significant older artworks.