Who is credited with the invention of oil paints and is known for works like 'The Arnolfini Marriage'?

Jan Van Eyck is credited with the invention of oil paints and is celebrated for masterpieces such as 'The Arnolfini Marriage.' His innovative techniques in oil painting allowed for greater detail, depth, and color variation compared to earlier tempera paintings. This advancement in materials transformed the artist's ability to render realistic textures, intricate details, and subtle gradations of light and shadow, which became hallmarks of Renaissance art. 'The Arnolfini Marriage,' painted in 1434, exemplifies these techniques and showcases Van Eyck's skill in capturing both physical presence and emotional narrative within his work.

This unique approach laid the groundwork for future generations of artists, establishing oil paint as a dominant medium in Western art.