Arnolfini Portrait
September 21, 2009
I choose The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck because it has many hidden symbols and meanings along with somewhat of a story. This painting is of Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife in their room in the city of Bruges. This painting was thought to be almost a document of their marriage. Humanism is very much an influence in this painting. Humanism is the belief of the worth and dignity of an individual. In this oil painting there are many, almost hidden symbols of wealth and luxury thus the worth of a person. First is the clothing they are wearing, it is summer in the painting but they have on their expensive fur coat and silk and fur dress. The woman is also wearing gold jewelry. The room has a fancy chandelier and elaborate rug on the floor and bed dressings. All of these small details give the effect of very important, valuable people. I really like this painting because of all the detail but simply done. The meaning of objects around the room and the way Jan van Eyck signed the painting above the mirror. It tells a story without any words. This painting was done by Jan van Eyck in the city of Bruges in 1434. Today the oil painting is the National Gallery in London.
September 22, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I also agree that this painting is well done. The fact that the painting is of a man and his pregnant wife shows how realistic setting of the painting. There is a lot of detail in this painting; everything from the background to every detail in what the man and wife are wearing. The painting gives you the feeling that the two people in the paining have something they want to share with the world.
September 23, 2009 at 8:12 am
This is a lovely painting. it reflects an almost somber look as to make you wonder if they are happy. I have read that this painting was also a form of “wedding certificate” for Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami, who married in Bruges in 1434. He was an Italian merchant, she the daughter of an Italian merchant, which would explain the apparent wealth. All this would explain why they were dressed so elaborately on a fine summer day.
I also see the humanism in the fact that she looks about 9 months pregnant, something that we don’t see much in art from the renaissance. Also I like that the dog made it into the painting as well.
September 25, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Hello Wyn,
I love that you used Eyck’s “The Arnolfine Portrait” painting. Eyck is a wonderful painter who has alot of hidden meanings in his paintings. Apparently in this painting the woman is infact not pregnant and not married,even though it seems to be the opposite. I really enjoy the spooky/melancholy feeling that you get when you observe his paintings. The things that stand out most to me would be his attention to detail and his “gothic” colors, both are very pleasing to the eye.