The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck: Great Art Explained
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
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"What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter 12 December 2020
"Thoroughly researched and cleverly presented, with stunning visuals, Great Art Explained makes you realise that familiarity with a work of art sometimes makes us indifferent to its power" - Forbes Magazine, 9 July 2020
I started "Great Art Explained" during lockdown. My aim is to make videos which focus on one great artwork. I want to present art in a jargon free, entertaining, clear and concise way with no gimmicks.
Subscribe and click the bell icon to get more arts content. Each video takes me about three weeks to a month, so I download at least once a month:
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The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck has baffled art historians ever since it was painted in 1434. It has been dissected and analysed, maybe more than any other painting in history, and in the process, become even more mysterious.
During the medieval period, a rapid expansion in trade and commerce led to the rise of a new class, the incredibly wealthy and powerful merchant class.
Bruges in the 15th century was the hub of international trade, and people came from all over the world, wanting to get rich. Including the Arnolfinis from Lucca in Italy.
As those Merchants became richer, their appetite for social status grew. Consumerism was rampant and the ultimate way to show off your wealth was to commission a portrait. And by the 1430s, a portrait by Jan Van Eyke was the most exclusive status symbol
CREDITS
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
BOOKS
Van Eyck - Maximiliaan Martens
Van Eyck and the founders of Early Netherlandish Painting - Otto Pacht
Arnolfini Portrait: Stories of an Icon - Linda Seidel
Girl in a Green Gown: the History and Mystery of the Arnolfini Portrait - Carola Hicks
VIDEOS
A Stitch in Time - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u2RM...
WEBSITES
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...
www.visual-arts-cork.com/famou...
artuk.org/discover/stories/fa...
PAPERS/GRAPHICS
The Arnolfini Portrait in 3D (computer Graphics used) by PH Jansen and M Ruttkay
Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): 1.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: 3d modeling, cultural heritage
Intro music: JS Bach “Sonata for violin solo No.1 in G Minor”
The Arnolfini Portrait, National Gallery
Great Art Explained totally unique merchandise available here - crowdmade.com/collections/greatartexplained
To be honest I think the possibility of him spending every little coin he had to immortalize his beloved wife in the way she would most like to be remembered (as a wealthy, well dressed, beautiful woman) is a beautiful and heartwarming interpretation. Especially because Jan Van Eyck most definitely succeeded on that if that was the request from the grieving husband.
I first looked at it and thought, pretty colors but ugly dude. After watching this I now believe this is an incredibly detailed masterpiece and this is a man who misses his wife.
That's last part a man who missed his wife. Brought me to tears can you imagine the time he spent alone not only paint this incredibly detailed painting from his head but to also think of his wife in every stroke is just wow. No money in the world can pay off death.
My first impression was also "weird lookin dude." But I've come to learn that everyone Van Eyck painted looks sort of like that. In fact there's an art meme about identifying paintings that "If everyone, including the women, look like Vladimir Putin, it's Van Eyck." It was the 1400s, artists hadn't quite mastered realism yet.
If you need a 15 minuts video that explains you the details, is the piece of art any good? I think the great art should speak for itself
@@717pixels9 it's immediately captivating, and just looking at it you can see the great effort to make it lifelike. But you can't just look at a painting and know its history. You may notice the snuffed out candle but probably won't realize, without learning it elsewhere, that it's probably there to signify that the woman is dead.
13:20 Man did you just say my dude painted the passion of the Christ with a single hair brush? My mind is reeling right now.
van Eyck was the MAN! He's one of my favorite artists due to his insane attention to detail and the fact that he wasn't painting an actual scene, but one that he created placing each element exactly as he wanted it.
I gasped out loud !
Half the size of your little fingernail
How?!?!?
I have a painting on my wall by an English artist called "Howard". This one is not, but his best works are single hair brush and they are 8 feet by 5 feet...
My uncle has a few of them, but he has the money to have a few of them LOL.
I was blown away by that too. Incredible.
For a painting done in 1434, this painting is just incredible.
I found myself wowing a few times throughout the video at the painter's skill and detail, the couple's love and faithfulness, their humble flex in worldly riches, and the narrator's awesome editing and attention to detail.
Thanks for the great comment - and thanks for watching 🙏
Well put...humble flex lol
My favorite detail is the chandelier--I forgot it was a painting for a second--it's that good!
Jan Van Eyck should travel in the future and explain this painting as HUMBLE FLEX! Love it!
Humble flex. Oxymoron much?
I would like to convey my appreciation to you for doing this. Some of us were not lucky enough to have afforded such education, whether for lack of time, focus, or economic status. Either way, we thirst for beauty and knowledge despite our disadvantages. CZcams’s fee of 14$ a month is the best use of my hard earned cash so far. It doesn’t come with parchment or accolades but it does have a wealth of treasures to relish in.
Hey Dewey - thanks for the great compliment - I really appreciate it - more to come so keep watching! 🙏
It equally takes skill and poise to convey your appreciation so eloquently. Well done.
Dewey, I agree with you would add that this channel and others like it is proof the i-net is a wonderful learning tool.
Good point well made!
wait you have to pay for youtube?
Unused beds in your reception room is the 15th flex
“Here’s my bed. Sleep on it? Why? Much too expensive for that.”
Sounds like something from the Beverly Hillbillies when they served dinner on the pool table and used pool cues to pass the food because it was fancy but they had no idea about pool. 😂
Weirdly enough my favorite part of the painting are the beads. They're just SO lifelike, as if I could reach into the painting and grab them. I can feel them slipping through my fingers. My second favorite is the mirror, as it gives the entire painting this very eerie and trippy effect.
Same!! The beads always tripped me out.
We all know why you like the beads. No shame here.
This is fantastic! So much detail. Thank you for sharing your insight into this gorgeous painting.
Thanks for the comment - I appreciate it!
Van Eyck and Bosch, in different ways, both seem so unlikely for their time period. I remember being so captivated by both painters at school, thinking they must be time travellers. There's something so modern about their work compared to that of their peers. It's trippy to discover a lot of the things we were taught about this painting in certain terms are at best debatable, most of all the shotgun wedding theory.
I remember being a kid and staring at this painting in the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. It was just so weird and captivating. I hadn’t thought about it in years. Thank you for making this.
Great comment - thanks for watching 🙏
The painting is in the National Gallery in London. Was it on loan to Boston?
@@michaeljohnangel6359 I imagine so.
It would be very easy to loan to given its conveniently small size.
.
@@pierrebegley2746 That conveniently small size make it all the more astonishing how detailed it is!
I saw this painting on loan at the National Gallery in London. It's much smaller than you expect, but no photo can communicate how mesmerising it is. It exerts almost this gravity-like pull on you-- even in a room with several dozen much bigger, more colourful Pre-Raphaelite masterworks, it draws you. It's like no other painting I've ever seen.
Thanks for watching 🙏 and for the comment
The fact it's small and compacts all of this details that can still be seen today is absolutely stunning
How about this? Every element of this portrait is part of a constellation of the many aspects of their life. All revolve around the painting's focal point: their joined hands, which in my opinion represent their love, which the artist has immortalized..
@@decimanightelf4135 To see paintings at this level of symbolic perfection you need to wait 400 years for Salvador Dali to come along.
I've seen this painting for over 35 years and this is the first I've heard that this is a memorial. Fascinating! Everything packed into this small painting is there for a reason, so this makes real sense. Very well done!
Fascinating explanation James. When watching these videos, I feel I am watching a BBC documentary ... except better! :)
Wow that’s a real compliment! Thanks so much for watching!
@@GreatArtExplained The compliment is well deserved!
Brilliant commentary. Outstanding painting on many levels as you so eloquently spoke about. Fascinating.
Thank you 🙏 and thanks for watching!
If I had you as my own personal teacher growing up, I would have learned so much from you. Love you're voice, pace, inflections, and sound. Once again, well done!
Oh thanks so much for the lovely comment! I really appreciate it. And thanks again for watching.
I would like to emphasize how thankful I am of how you put your time into making this series on understanding these paintings. I always feel a kind of serene feeling of awe as I start each one of your videos and I believe it is because of the effort you exercise into bringing alive the essence of each masterwork. Thank you again for this wonderful content. 🙏🙌
Thanks 🙏
Signs of wealth: deep hues, 2000 dead squirrels, and a bed in the reception area. Nearly 1000 years later, I am right there with you, having just placed a chandelier on my porch.
You sir, deserve 1 million views
Here’s hoping! Thanks so much and thanks for watching!
I'm just at the national gallery looking at this amazing piece of art as I listen to this video. Amazing experience
That’s so good to hear! Thanks 🙏
The hidden symbolism are wonderful little secrets
I remember when I first encountered this portrait. I was about 13. I could not stop staring at it and at the date. It seemed unbelievable that a picture of almost photographic quality, as it seemed to me, could be almost 550 years old. That fact alone took my breath away. The details are just so astonishing. The huge amount of information and careful analysis in this video takes my breath away anew. Thank you so much!
Their body language speaks volumes. She is trying to make eye contact while refraining from holding his hand. He cannot look her in the eyes and his upright hand comes across as cold and marks the distance between them not only physically, but emotionally as well.
On one hand (pardon the pun), it's as if he's trying to reach out to her, while on the other hand he is distancing himself. To me, it adds to the balance of the art piece. There are many symbols of wealth, but not too much. The couple seems trying to make an effort, but aren't on the same page. The space is balanced with light and dark color.
Thanks for getting me thinking this morning, it makes me miss taking art classes in uni. Cheers!
The attention to detail and mastery of lighting is breathtaking.
That candle-detail made me say 'Oh..! Wait.. And she's.. Wow!' out loud. What an amazing painting - and from now on a quite sad one for me. Thank you so much for explaining this painting in such great detail.
I was looking for exactly this - great works of art explained with depth and knowledge. How lucky that you just started doing this during covid! Thank you so much. Brilliantly done. Please keep them coming!
Thanks for such a great comment! And thanks for watching!
Amazing video. I've known this painting for a long time and always thought it was a portrait of a marriage couple, however you managed to provide a very somber and reasonable meaning to it suggesting she was dead. What's funny is that I felt sorry for her death, although the irony is that both of them are already literally dead for centuries.
In my fine arts class in college I think we spent a collective 5-6 classes talking about this painting alone and the professor had to forcibly move onto the next subject. I’m glad to have found this video, very informative!
My mind is simply blown away!! It’s indeed a masterpiece 👏🏻👏🏻 the amount of detailing is next level and at the medieval times too 🤯 the carpet ,the orange ,the freaking chandelier and you can even make out the fabric just by looking at this picture , it really is portal to another dimension.
the death theory kinda blew my mind. whether or not it's true. it makes us pay attention to things we might not have otherwise and just really deepens appreciation for this painting immensely. I have known this painting ever since my art college days, but failed to appreciate then what made it so significant. the more i know about it, the more i am delighted by how much it keeps giving. By the way i have been binging your videos for the past few hours; THANK YOU so much for making them!
The lil note on the wall made me chuckle reminds me of middle school days. Love to see even through his grieving and focus on his work he could still manage a lil chuckle in there. Art is just amazing.
When I was young and first saw this painting, I thought the husband looked arrogant and possessive of his wife. But now many decades later, I see grief in his face, and a tenderness in the way he holds her hand, as if relinquishing it. I agree with the idea that he had this painted after the death of his wife who died still young. She is green and blue like springtime colors, and he is dressed all dark. A display of wealth but also a memorial.
That was absolutely amazing. Made me gasp as if I was watching a mystery movie
Thanks for watching 🙏
The mastery of these great works of art is just incredible, without advanced chemistry at the time, artists developed oil painting by mixing linseed oil and oil from nuts with diverse colors. This video was great, he meticulously dissected this piece of art in greatest detail.
How did Van Eyck manage to produce such minuscule details. He was a wizard.
This has been my favorite painting since I was 19....so, a very long time! I've always loved the elaborate detail and symbolism in it. Thank you for expounding on those things and enlightening us even more!
Thanks so much for watching 🙏
Please leave a comment (even a short one) and "like" the video. It really helps promote the channel on CZcams. I appreciate it! James
Everything in paintings is intentional. I really wish I could listen in to Jan Van Eyck talking with his patrons about the painting.
Yes, I would LOVE to have been a fly on the wall during the entire process.
My father has a collection of art books. This painting is depicted in one of them. As a kid, I used to stare at it for hours, fascinated by all the details. The mirror always impressed me the most. For me everything looked so real, I couldn't comprehend how it was painted, it just mesmerized me. Thank you for talking about it. As much as I loved to look at it, I never actually read anything about it, so I'm surprised to learn all those details. Thank you so much!!
We studied this painting in a fashion history class. I knew it was a masterpiece but I never would’ve thought it was this deep.
Growing up, my family didn't have much for travel so I read many books. I was always stumped by the meaning of this painting. Now my education of this renowned painting is nearly complete. I'm saving money to travel and see it and many other works of art. Thank you so much for your amazing explanations.
London is the place to be for art and most of our museums are free - just saw two lovely Van Gogh portraits here - hope you get to see them! Thanks for watching - james 🙏
@@GreatArtExplained Thanks for the tip. On my bucket list!
WOW I love this. I have never seen a painting with so much detail and message. Truly genius from Jan Van Eyck
As someone who is just getting exposed to western art, this masterpiece has to be one of my favourites so far. I really like how Van Eyck breaks the fourth wall by including us, the viewer, in the mirror. The mirror is the feature that appealed to me the most in the painting. The walls reflected in the mirror were curved, and the light was distributed so correctly. Tough to believe how a simple painting makes me go back in time to a faraway place. Thanks a ton for pointing out all the details.
Who knew there was so much detail, symbolism, social status being conveyed by Van Eyck? Thanks for your description and analysis. The artist's craftsmanship and technique are extraordinary.
I’m binge watching all your videos - they are simply superb. Please please continue to make more!
Thanks for the great comment - I appreciate it. And thanks for watching! More to come.
I remember this painting being discussed by my Art 100 professor in University. I had forgotten most of the details, but it remains as fascinating then as it is now, thank you for the refresher course!
Thank for watching! 🙏
wow, I'm impressed that you can tell so many things from this painting! And the details are stratospheric O_O
A friend just referred me to this channel, and this old art history student is beyond thrilled. This painting was a key work studied in my undergrad days. I find the memorial aspect of it convincing, but I am wondering if perhaps Costanza could have died in childbirth? The "illusion" of pregnancy in her body and gown, and perhaps the little wooden carving of the woman on the chair could be St Margaret, patron saint of childbirth - who was said to have been swallowed by a dragon but she was (ahem) delivered from the dragon's belly. Gorgeous painting, wonderful commentary - can't wait to see the rest of the episodes!
Thank you for your insight. I’m strangely drawn to this piece for some reason. Maybe it’s the details. The dress, the carpet! I can only draw stick figures myself, so I’m no art connoisseur, but I do enjoy looking at it.
I’m not an artist, but even I can tell his art is insanely impressive.
I did a school project on Van Eyck years ago and discussed the greatness of details in this painting. Sadly, I was waiting for you to mention how the most amazing feature is the 360⁰ space - an artist had never done this before. In that small mirror he reflected the whole room, "breaking the fourth wall", historically stunning.
However, I am so impressed that there are even more that you mentioned I never knew, like the cherry blossom and candles!!! I was certain she was pregnant, but this memorial theory is 👌
Wow I never noticed that the couple were welcoming guests. So interesting!
Fascinating! I recall theories about the man in black being a clergyman, noting that she is not pregnant, but little else. Your discussion is much more interesting, informative, and nuanced. You brought out so many things new to me. The bit about the shoes and the fabrics is so interesting.
Thank you so much. I look forward to all your videos!
Whole my life I'm deeply convinced that art is the best teacher of history and have just discovered this wonderful channel. Thanks for the great work and explanation! Wish you every success in this project.
Because of these detailed explanations i started looking closer at objects in a painting too.
I think Giovanni Arnolfini looks so similar to Vladimir Putin in his earlier years in power 😁
I thought that too! His face is actually a bit scary
Great analysis, in that you did not overanalyze. You leave us options rather than be forced to subject our viewing to your interpretation. Thanks for that!
I've got a copy of this, painted on canvas, that I bought impulsively as soon as I saw it. Others have the same reaction upon seeing The Arnolfini Portrait for the first time. The painting is hypnotic: it is difficult to take your eyes away from it after the initial surprise at its uniqueness, symmetry, and beauty. And something more. I agree with the narrator that Van Eyck has presented us with the embodiment of a marriage: a love that will survive death itself, thanks to the great master's rendering.
What a great description and analysis of this painting. I am reading Dorothy Dunnett's "Niccolò Rising" which is set in Bruges in 1459 and Arnolfini is one of the minor characters in the story. It's so much fun to layer this detailed explanation of the painting into the story. I look forward to diving into your series. Thank you for doing this!
Thanks for watching 🙏
I have just discovered your channel and am now happily devouring your archive. After drinking this video in, I'm insanely curious about Van Eyck's almost supernatural eye for detail. More more more!
These videos are captivating and never disappoint. I'm consuming at an alarming rate.
I love this painting so much, I still cannot fathom how he was able to paint the mirror, especially the little Jesus paintings in the frame, they’re so detailed yet so small!!!
This was a wonderful explanation of this painting. I knew about some of the symbolism, but did not know that Arnolfini's wife was probably deceased BEFORE this was painted. To learn about so many seemingly small but significant details of this masterpiece and how they would have been interpreted by people of that time is fascinating. I'm subscribing.
I *love* this channel - thank god I found it. I now feel so grateful that I live in London and can actually go see this work of art - a privilege that I haven't really been aware of until now. Thanks x
Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. In these so called modern times, seems a million selfies may fail to tell the story in the Arnolfini Portrait. Thank you James.
Thanks 🙏
I cried when I saw this at the National Gallery!
Great art, great explanations, great video. I'm a little surprised their gazes and his odd right hand position were not discussed. Is he halting an advance from her, waving goodbye, saying a blessing? Her right hand shows a very short lifeline according to palmistry. With a little imagination the space between the bottom of the chandelier and the extended arms form the shape of a heart. Also the hanging the drapes, top right of frame, indicate that Mr. Arnolfini was indeed a big swinger in town and possibly circumcised.
Interesting. Thanks David!
Wow. Thank you so much for your channel. I've watched nearly a dozen videos so far. My grandfather and father were both artists, my father got his masters degree in art. I was moving that direction myself, but chose music as a career. This channel gives me an opportunity to still enjoy art.
Oh no! I'm nearly done with every video!
Thanks for the great comment Aaron - I usually upload one every 3-4 weeks. Thanks for watching! 🙏
I hope I will ever agree with Stephen Fry, and am relieved to find this no exception. It IS indeed a brilliant series, and I have shared more than one with friends who have (unexpectedly, actually) found them also fascinating.
This treatise is the one I go back to. Almost Tony Soprano-like in his boldness. Like, "Hey, Arnolfini was here, ya mugs!" Yet as delicate and minute as that mirror! Oh, that mirror! ♥
Thanks 🙏
Years ago, my Mum did art history as one of her subjects at her Open University course. I was fascinated by art as a kid (I’m an artist now) and I sat with Mum listening to her tell me what the paintings were about; not unlike this video. Great memories and have subbed as Mum has passed but I still love hearing the stories.
I know nothing about Art-Painting.
But I am learning a lot by these short interludes of Explaining Great Art. You have a talent, in saying complicated things, in a way I can understand. I think this might be called "Vulgarization" I have even referred your work on my site.
Thank for your work.
His hat is just astounding.
I remember seeing this painting in advertisements in magazines when I was a kid. The man in this painting always gave me the creeps
It is a pleasure and a discovery to see a panting through your informed analysis
Your erudition is astonishing; so many great details are covered here. My interpretation had been that the folds of her dress transform into a bolt of cloth on the floor as an advertisement for her husband's trade.
I just discovered your channel and it's 3:30 am here. I can't stop watching. Thank you for this. It is equally calming as it is insightful.
What a lovely thing to say - thanks 🙏
Second thing that I love the most in this painting is the numerous details that are not shy of meaning and yet when you look at the painting, it never felt overwhelming. It is as if you are inside it.
I first was randomly introduced to this piece of art when I was a little girl going thru her dad's French magazines, it was art section n I used to stare at it for hours n hours, I was simply mesmerized now I've been thinking about it a lot lately n thought I should go a little bit deeper about it n know it's meaning.. now I understand why I always been charmed by it ❤ a true masterpiece. I think it's my favorite painting of all time x
This is very high quality content. I suspect your subscriber count will go through the roof.
Thanks so much for saying - and for watching!
Fantastic video - thank you! I've always loved this painting, but you focused in on details I'd not noticed before. Thanks again - keep doing what you do 😁
Thoroughly engrossed in your explanation. Thank you.
That painting is off the scale. The reflection in the mirror, the chandelier, the orange on the windowsill...so on and so on. Thanks whoever you are.
Thanks 🙏 Darren
What a narration. Many thanks for taking us to a deep unknown world of art, what a deep thought process , in this fast paced world ,we really need to slow down to get to the depths of an artist mind and reflect inward of our own. Thank you once again ,more power to your craft.
Thanks 🙏
I have a framed print of the painting and have always admired the detail. It’s known to me as The Marriage of Arnolfini. Your video has enlightened me to so many more fascinating aspects of the painting.
Thank you for the wonderful analysis. Although I was taught in art history class years ago (1967) that this was a wedding portrait, your case is very compelling that it was a tribute by Arnofini to his wife and marriage. I loved all your detailed explanation of the clothing and furniture. Very educational! The painting remains one of my favorites. I would love to have it in my dining room.
Fascinating art and video. The placing of a dog at a woman's feet in art was also used as a representation of marital fidelity.
Best channel on CZcams IMO.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and helping us appreciate the greatness in these pieces.
So beautiful explained!
Also very touching with all the details that may sugest she passed away.
Love your videos, once more, thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion for art!
Just saw this painting in National Gallery. I never thought its so small but very breathtaking.
It is very small!
‘The transition from classical age to the renaissance’. One of my all times favourites. And cannot help but to wander by every time when in National Gallery
Astounding! Thank you so much for such a detailed and fascinating explanation. It's amazing to think this was painted in the 1400s. Please keep more coming!!!!
Such unbelievable talent! Mind-blown! Thank you for bringing life to this painting for us. THE best thing I've seen on CZcams is this channel❤️
Van Eyke's genius is so well explained in this short film. I've seen this painting many times but you've shed fresh light on one of the world's most famous artworks.
Thanks so much for watching!
What a glorious painting, and James' knowledge and presentation was perfection.
I’d forgotten so much detail.. Or wait, to be honest you’ve included more detail than I’ve ever come across about this painting. Fascinating, I’m thrilled to have found your channel!
Thanks so much for saying that! And thanks for watching
Your channel is my new favorite thing. At this moment, with mostly of museus closed and travel restrictions your content becomes even more important. Thank you for all you do
This is an amazing channel. Your voice, your knowledge, and the way you tell the story is mmmmwwwwaaaaaa{chefs kiss}. Marvelous
Just want to say thank you forgiving me a deeper understanding of a painting I have loved for a long time.
These days: see my 16K 80 TV on my living room which i control from my overpriced new iPhone?
Back in the day: See this bed i just placed on my living room just because yes?
Somethings never change. 😀
😂
so happy to have stumbled upon this channel
Thanks for watching 🙏 do check out my other videos!
I'm stunned... so mysterious. Beautiful painting. When I saw it in London it was a real wow moment.