Final answer:
Jan van Eyck, a Northern Renaissance painter, is known as "the father of oil painting" and was the first to master the use of oils, notably in works like The Arnolfini Portrait.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual known as "the father of oil painting" and who first mastered the use of oils is Jan van Eyck. Jan van Eyck was a Northern Renaissance painter who made significant contributions to the development of oil painting techniques during the 15th century. One of his most famous works that utilized these techniques is The Arnolfini Portrait, painted in 1434. This painting is notable for its vivid use of color and intricate detail, both hallmarks of van Eyck's mastery of oil paints.
Although other artists such as Giorgione and Masaccio have made significant contributions to painting with their innovative techniques and subjects, it is Jan van Eyck who is often celebrated for his pioneering use of oil paints in creating detailed and realistic images.