Frames left|thumb|Copy of a van Eyck, Portrait of Isabella of Portugal (original lost). Private collection Exceptionally for his time, van Eyck often signed and dated his frames,Jones (2011), 21 then considered an integral part of the work – the two were often painted together, and while the frames were constructed by a body of craftsmen separate to the master's workshop, their work was often considered as equal in skill to that of the painter.
frameS LEfT|Thumb|Copy oF A VaN eyck, portrAiT of IsAbelLA oF poRTUGAl (orIgiNAl LoST). PrIvaTe colLecTiOn ExCEptIonallY FOr hiS tiMe, vaN eyck ofTen signEd and datEd his frames,jones (2011), 21 then CoNsidereD an iNTegraL PARt oF The work – ThE TwO weRe ofTen paiNtEd tOgeThEr, ANd While the frames weRe cONStruCTed bY a bodY of cRAftsmeN SeParate to thE master'S worKshOp, THeiR work WAs ofTeN consiDered as equaL IN sKilL TO That of tHe paintEr