We know something more of the life of John van Eyck than of the life of his master and elder brother Hubert. His junior by twenty years, like him he was born at Maeseyck, and though his pictures have little in common with the primitives of Maestricht or Cologne he seems to have made his first studies in his own neighbourhood, and later on to have accompanied Hubert to Bruges. A man of many parts and many achievements, painter of pictures, stainer of glass, illuminator of parchments, illuminator of stone--no uncommon circumstance at a time when every artist was an artisan, and every craftsman an artist--he added yet to his varied talents no little skill in diplomacy, was entrusted by his sovereign with sundry private and delicate missions, and travelled for him frequently and far, sometimes in order to paint pictures, sometimes on matters of state. Whilst still a young man John van Eyck parted company for a time with his brother. In the autumn of 1422 he was appointed _peintre et varlet de chambre_ to Duke John of Bavaria, the famous Jean sans Pitié, Prince-Bishop of Liège. When that militant prelate was gathered to his fathers some two years afterwards, Philippe l'Asseuré received his heritage, and upon the recommendation of '_plusieurs de ses gens_' he confirmed Van Eyck in his office and in all the customary honours and profits appertaining thereto,' granting to him, over and above, an annual stipend of a hundred _livres_, a sum equal in current coin to about one hundred and sixty pounds.