This 600-year-old painting by Jan van Eyck remains one of the most enigmatic in the history of art.

This 600-year-old painting by Jan van Eyck remains one of the most enigmatic in the history of art.

At the heart of the painting lies a tiny mirror, barely 6 centimetres wide, but it captures the entire painting with remarkable precision.

On closer inspection, you’ll notice that the mirror is convex. The subtle distortion it creates is rendered with exceptional precision.

Look closely, and you’ll notice the orange hue settling on the window ledge.

But the real dazzle lies in the reflection of two figures in the background: one dressed in red, thought to be the artist himself, and the other – could it be the viewer?

Around the mirror are 10 miniature scenes, each no bigger than half a nail, depicting the Passion of Christ, from the Passion in the Garden to the Resurrection.

 

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