EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY: The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2020
- THE Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck, 1434, Oil on oak panel, 82.2 cm × 60 cm (32.4 in × 23.6 in)
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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.
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It was interesting to know the story of this painting I enjoyed it❤❤❤
It's astonishing, the fine details and masterful technique of Van Eyck. This is a period when many, if not most, works lacked anatomical truth and perspective. Nobody ever surpassed this artist in his ability to produce such perfectly real images. Stunning genius. Thank you for producing this!
You're quite welcome. So glad you enjoyed the video.
Great choice of painting to study Larry, I've learned a lot! The fact that she isn't actually pregnant comes as a surprise!
Thank you for your feedback!
This is Super helpfule
I dispute the "not pregnant" interpretation. As you said, this was painted after she died, which is indicated by the candle above her being snuffed out. It was unfortunately common for women to die giving birth, and I think the painting suggests this was her sad fate.
'... art critics agree, the woman is not pregnant ...'
Art critics are idiots then. She is pregnant and this is probably a memorial painting after she died in childbirth, painted over a wedding drawing from 1 or 2 years before.