Van Eyck, Jan, van EYEK, yahn (1380?-1441), was one of the greatest and most influential Flemish painters of altarpieces and portraits of the 1400's. His work typically portrays the subjects in minute realistic detail and bright colors. Although van Eyck did not invent oil painting, as has been previously thought, he achieved stunning effects with oil paint. He applied layer after layer of the paint to achieve the effect of shimmering jewels or rich textures.