This figure has been widely identiefied as God the Father overseeing the story of the Salvation. All the same there are persuasive arguments to the effect that the figure is in fact that of Christ. The issue will nevertheless have to remain open. Some scholars believe that Van Eyck deliberately blended aspects of the Father and the Son. Another possible explanation is that Van Eyck wanted to present the figure of 'God' in his Trinitarian unity as Father Son and Holy Spirit all at once.
Flemish art and heritage collections, in great detail