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in Medieval European Paintings
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Jan van Eyck
(b. before 1395, Maaseik, d. before 1441, Bruges)

Madonna with the Child Reading, 1433

Oil on wood, 26,5 x 19,5 cm
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne

The inscription on the wall top left is: "COMPLETU(m) AN(n)O D(omini) M CCCC XXXIIJ P(er) JOH(ann)EM DE EYC BRVGIS". There is a motto on the right: "ALS IXH XAN" (als ich kan, i.e. "as I can"). The attribution to Van Eyck is debated.

Note the swastika elements on the corners of the carpet.