The Virgin and Child with Canon Joris Van der Paele

"Master Joris Van der Paele, canon of this church, had this painting made by Johannes Van Eyck, painter; and he founded two chantries, to be tended by the canons, 1434; the painting was, however, completed in 1436." So reads the Latin inscription on the frame. In other words, the canon donated a substantial sum of money to the authorities of Saint Donation's Church in Bruges to dedicate an annual …