What happened to the Ghent Altarpiece between 1566 and 1934?

What is the Ghent Altarpiece, how was it created, and what changes did it undergo in the first 125 years of its existence? 

How did Early Netherlandish painters use different materials to create different kinds of landscapes, and how have those paintings changed over time?

How does the use of different media affect the look of paint?

How were the underdrawings of Early Netherlandish paintings made and how can we see them?

Why are the oak panels of Early Netherlandish paintings good supports, and what can they tell us? 

How do Early Netherlandish paintings differ from Early Italian paintings - in how they look, what they mean, and what they are?

What's the story of the Cimabue Crucifix at Santa Croce, Florence?  From 1966 until now.

What's the story of the Cimabue Crucifix at Santa Croce, Florence?  From the thirteenth century until 1966.

How do modern and contemporary paintings reflect some of the physical aspects of Early Italian paintings? Some thoughts about engaged frames and the use of gold leaf.