The Ghent Altarpiece, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432, is recognised worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. It is an absolute must-see on your weekend break to Ghent. A total of 18 panels form a magical evocation of scenes from the Bible, as well as a portrait of the church warden, Joos Vijd, who commissioned the altarpiece, and his wife Elisabeth Borluut.
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is probably the most influential painting ever made, and it is also the most often stolen work of art in history!
Noah Charney

Inner glow, microscopic craftsmanship

The monumental Ghent Altarpiece was painted on oak panels covered in thin layers of a mixture of chalk and animal glue. The figures were applied in several layers of oil paint. The combination of the painstaking work and transparent paint creates an extra dimension. Discover it for yourself as you stand in front of this masterpiece. You will see that an inner glow seems to radiate from the painting: the light of the divine.

Can’t wait to get to Ghent to see the divine glow for yourself? Simply view the Ghent Altarpiece masterpiece in detail online. Zoom in on the fruit in Eve’s hand in the top right-hand panel. It’s not a Biblical apple at all, but a citrus fruit that is now very rare. Or spot the towers of Ghent in the background of the main panel. Zoom in on anything you like!

Religious art by the Van Eyck brothers in Ghent

Hubert van Eyck painted part of the Ghent Altarpiece that includes the Mystic Lamb, but was never able to finish it. His younger brother Jan, an absolute master of the art of painting, is said to have finished this masterpiece a few years after Hubert’s death.

Visit the Ghent Altarpiece - online ticketing

Prefer not to wait in line at the ticket booth? Want to be sure you can discover the Ghent Altarpiece when you want to? Then book your tickets online in advance and enjoy your visit to the fullest.

Book your tickets here

Lukas - Art in Flanders

Can’t wait to get to Ghent to see the divine glow for yourself? Simply view the Mystic Lamb masterpiece in detail online. Zoom in on the fruit in Eve’s hand in the top right-hand panel. It’s not a Biblical apple at all, but a citrus fruit that is now very rare. Or spot the towers of Ghent in the background of the main panel. Zoom in on anything you like!

Admire the work of art at close range and zoom in on all the details

Visitors’ centre

In the visitors’ centre, the Ghent Altarpiece and the imposing cathedral come to life through augmented reality glasses.

Daring theft of panels of the Ghent Altarpiece

On the morning of 11 April 1934, Ghent woke up to news of a disaster. Two panels of the Ghent Altarpiece, ‘The Just Judges’ and ‘John the Baptist’ had been stolen from St Bavo’s Cathedral! This daring theft has grown to become one of the most fascinating art robberies of the 20th century. It remains unsolved.

Later the ‘John the Baptist’ panel was returned anonymously, but ‘The Just Judges’ is still lost without trace. Today you can find the Ghent Altarpiece where it belongs: in
St Bavo’s Cathedral. Admittedly there is still a reproduction in the place of the stolen panel, ‘The Just Judges’. Whether or not the missing panel is ever found, this theft has given rise to all sorts of exciting stories and mysterious conspiracy theories.

Adore the Lamb

Here’s a fascinating fact: Ghent Altarpiece was rescued in 1945 by the famous ‘Monuments Men’. The Mystic Lamb was welcomed home like a king by the ecstatic people of Ghent, who lined the streets in a respectful guard of honour. There is a film of the amazing story of the Monuments Men, American art commandos who brought confiscated art back to where it belonged. The film, ‘The Monuments Men’, begins in St Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. The people of Ghent adore the Ghent Altarpiece, and rightfully so, but they also have a sense of humour. You can see proof of this in this spoof video about the Ghent Altarpiece.

Heavenly graffiti in Ghent

Discover the Van Eyck Street Art in Ghent during your city trip as well! Several national and international top artists were inspired by the Mystic Lamb and brightened up the city centre with art.

Enchanted by the Ghent Altarpiece?

Does The Ghent Altarpiece make you want more? During your weekend getaway to Ghent, enjoy a guided walking tour around the city of Ghent. The Province of East Flanders and the guides’ associations below also adore the altarpiece and offer city walks in Ghent on the theme of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The choice is yours:

Discover van Eyck, then and now

Are you anxious to find out who exactly was van Eyck, or how he influenced painters today? Discover the stories on these pages!

The information continues beneath the illustrations.

CityCard Gent: a must-have for your visit to Ghent

You can buy the CityCard Gent here