EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY: The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck

THE Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck, 1434, Oil on oak panel, 82.2 cm × 60 cm (32.4 in × 23.6 in) THIS PAINTING IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AS A HAND-PAINTED OIL REPRODUCTION: ABOUT THIS PAINTING: Religious artwork traditionally combines elements of symbolism, narrative, and ritual. Prime example of this is the Ghent altarpiece, designed and painted by Hurbert and younger brother, Jan van Eyck. Later Jan applied the elements and sensibilities of religious art to create one of the most complex and unique double portraits in ever painted, The Arnolfini Portrait. Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini, a wealthy Italian merchant stands to the left. The woman to his right is his wife, Giovanna Cenami. They are standing in a receiving room in their house in Bruges, Belgium. The fact there’s a bed in the room is not strange for the time as it was used as seating. The surroundings speak to Arnolfini’s wealth—there’s the valuable convex mirror in the background, the elaborate brass chandelier. And oranges near the window, a scarce, expensive commodity in 15th Century Bruges. As to the subjects, they are dressed to the teeth, the man in a coat lined with ermine and the most magnificent and distinctive hat, as well as woman’s fur trimmed garment. Believe it or not, art critics agree the woman is not pregnant. Rather she is gathering up a great deal of heavy pleated cloth, perhaps to reveal her expensive blue undergarment. The dog, is intend perhaps to represent the woman’s fidelity to her husband. Fido, a tradition dog’s name, is Italian for trust. The husband cradles the woman’s hand with his left, and raising his right as if taking a solemn vow. The composition would indicate that this is a wedding portrait. And the painter, his reflection seen in the mirror would be the the witness. Van Eyck’s signature is very formal as if notarizing a document. A sort of visual wedding certificate. What’s also interesting, the painting was completed 1434. However, records indicate the wife died the year before in 1433. So, what may have started out as a wedding portrait might be a memoriam. Seems the more you delve into this painting, the more it yields. This is the sign of a great work. ------------------------------------------------- #oilpaintings #janvaneyck #arthistory #fineart #paintinganalysis Enjoy qualitative custom oil paintings, handmade portraits, and reproductions with 1st Art Gallery! Visit us at: Subscribe: Facebook: Pinterest: