The Cumaean Sibyl 1432

"The Cumaean Sibyl" is a painting by Jan van Eyck, one of the most influential artists of the Early Netherlandish painting style. It was created in 1432 and is part of the Ghent Altarpiece, a massive polyptych housed in St. Bavo Cathedral, Ghent, Belgium. The painting portrays the Cumaean Sibyl, a legendary prophetess, holding a scroll that represents her prophetic pronouncements. Van Eyck's use of oil paints and meticulous detail creates a lifelike depiction of the Sibyl, emphasizing her role as a conduit for divine knowledge.