The Arnolfini Double Portrait, sometimes referred to as Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride, by Jan Van Eyck is filled with symbols related to Christianity, love, fertility, and loyalty. Three of the most significant symbols in the painting are the ‘eye of God’ mirror, the position and posture of the couple, and the dog.
What is the meaning of the Arnolfini double portrait?
Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. The Arnolfini Double Portrait, sometimes referred to as Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride , by Jan Van Eyck is filled with symbols related to Christianity, love, fertility, and loyalty.
What is the meaning of Arnolfini and his bride?
The Arnolfini Double Portrait, sometimes referred to as Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride, by Jan Van Eyck is filled with symbols related to Christianity, love, fertility, and loyalty. Three of the most significant symbols in the painting are the ‘eye of God’ mirror, the position and posture of the couple, and the dog.
Who are the people in the Arnolfini Portrait?
Two cousins from the same Arnolfini family are thought to be the people pictured in the Arnolfini Portrait. They were part of the Italian merchant business trading goods, and both lived in Bruges. Originally, the painting was thought to be a portrait of Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini and his wife Jeanne de Cename (Cenami).
What does the Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Eyck mean?
Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) The oranges on the windowsill and chest may symbolize virtue and guiltlessness that reigned in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of Man. They are additionally a further sign of riches as oranges were a remarkable sight in Bruges.
What are some symbols in the Arnolfini Portrait?
Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) The oranges on the windowsill and chest may symbolize virtue and guiltlessness that reigned in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of Man. They are additionally a further sign of riches as oranges were a remarkable sight in Bruges.
What does the Arnolfini Portrait symbolize?
The carving, which overlooks the marriage bed, represents St Margaret, the patron saint of childbirth, signalling a wish for a healthy family. To ensure a successful marriage, a dog in included at the couple's feet. This is a symbolic reference to faithfulness.
What is the significance of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife?
The exact meaning behind the couple's display of joining hands is still debated among art historians. While some suggest that it is symbolic of a marriage contract, others believe it is a gesture of consent for the wife to act on behalf of the husband's business dealings.
What did the dog symbolize in the Arnolfini Wedding portrait?
The dog also raises debate as to the meaning behind the Arnolfini Portrait. To Panofsky, the dog represents the fidelity and loyalty of the married couple. Koster suggests that dogs are seen on female tombs from ancient Roman times, as they were believed to guard and guide them to the afterlife.
Why is the dog in Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife a common thing to find in portraits of couples at the time?
Therefore the dog's presence in the painting could be a way of acknowledging her death – or it could simply serve as a common symbol of loyalty and fidelity. Jan van Eyck, Portrait of Giovanni(?) Arnolfini and his Wife, 1434, The National Gallery, London, UK.
What does the mirror symbolize in Arnolfini Wedding?
The wooden frame holding the mirror is decorated with glass panels depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ and could represent a promise of salvation to the couple. A single candle in the chandelier could stand for the unity of the couple and at the same time could be symbolic of the all-seeing eye of God.
Where is the double portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife?
the National Gallery, London"The Arnolfini Marriage" is a name that has been given to this untitled double portrait by Jan van Eyck, now in the National Gallery, London.
What is the significance of van Eyck's use of oil paint?
This panel painting is famed for being one of the first to be executed in oils rather than in the standard tempera method of the period. The detail and the use of light to evoke the interior of the room was considered remarkable and revolutionary for its time.
Why is it called the Arnolfini?
The Arnolfini is named after Jan van Eyck's masterpiece The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) depicting the merchant and arts patron Giovanni Arnolfini.
What does the little dog in the Arnolfini portrait mean?
Fidelity: Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) The little pooch between the couple symbolizes fidelity, dedication, or can be viewed as a token of desire, connoting the couple’s longing to have a child. In contrast to the couple, the pup watches out to meet the look of the watcher. The canine could likewise be basically a lap pooch, ...
What does the orange on the window represent?
Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) The oranges on the windowsill and chest may symbolize virtue and guiltlessness that reigned in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of Man. They are additionally a further sign of riches as oranges were a remarkable sight in Bruges. The fruits on the tree at the window are frequently considered ...
What is the name of the painting by Jan Van Eyck?
What follows is a run down of hidden symbols from undoubtedly one of the most debated paintings ever, The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck: Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait, Oil Paint on Oak, 82x60cm, 1434, National Gallery, London (wiki.org) For quite a while, this 1434 oil painting on oak board was thought to be a marriage portrait ...
Why did Jan Van Eyck remove her shoes?
Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) The couple have removed their shoes in acknowledgment of the sanctity of the bedchamber, transforming it into a holy place. However, one of her shoes sits on a carpet in front of the bed alluding to the fact that she may have died in childbirth.
Who is the patron saint of childbirth?
Jan Van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait (detail) St. Margaret is the patron saint of childbirth. A mythical beast is her attribute and she is normally portrayed trampling it on the ground as here. Her praying figure could likewise be taken as interceding for the spirit of the departed women during childbirth.
What are the roundels in the mirror?
The roundels at the edge of the mirror portray Christ’s passion and death. The scenes of the living Christ are on the man’s side; the scenes of his death and resurrection are on the woman’s.
What is the meaning of the Arnolfini double portrait?
The Arnolfini Double Portrait, sometimes referred to as Giovanni Arnolfini and his Bride, by Jan Van Eyck is filled with symbols related to Christianity, love, fertility, and loyalty. Three of the most significant symbols in the painting are the ‘eye of God’ mirror, the position and posture of the couple, and the dog.
What does Arnolfini's posture mean?
Arnolfini’s posture suggests authority and dominance, and the position of his right hand suggests a blessing gesture. His wife is portrayed as submissive but not unequal to her husband. Instead of looking down, she is looking into her husband’s eyes. Arnolfini himself is looking out of the picture at the world.
What is the mirror in Van Eyck's portrait?
The mirror is a symbol of the all-seeing eye of God, watching everything that is going on. The depicted posture of Arnolfini and his wife is also an important symbol.
Who was the first person to publish a double portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini?
Jan van Eyck, Portrait of Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini. Gemäldegalerie, Berlin. Main article: Giovanni Arnolfini. In their book published in 1857, Crowe and Cavalcaselle were the first to link the double portrait with the early 16th century inventories of Margaret of Austria.
What is the meaning of the painting of Giovanni Arnolfini?
Carroll also proposes that the portrait was meant to affirm Giovanni Arnolfini's good character as a merchant and aspiring member of the Burgundian court.
Where did Giovanni di Arrigo live?
Both Giovanni di Arrigo and Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini were Italian merchants, originally from Lucca, but resident in Bruges since at least 1419. The man in this painting is the subject of a further portrait by van Eyck in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, leading to speculation he was a friend of the artist.
What technique did Van Eyck use to create his paintings?
Van Eyck used the technique of applying several layers of thin translucent glazes to create a painting with an intensity of both tone and colour. The glowing colours also help to highlight the realism, and to show the material wealth and opulence of Arnolfini's world.
What is morganatic marriage?
A marriage is said to be morganatic if a man marries a woman of unequal rank. However, the subjects originally thought by most scholars to be represented in this painting, Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami, were of equal status and rank in the courtly system, so the theory would not hold true.
Where is the Arnolfini portrait?
Location. National Gallery, London. The Arnolfini Portrait (or The Arnolfini Wedding, The Arnolfini Marriage, the Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife, or other titles) is a 1434 oil painting on oak panel by the Early Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck. It forms a full-length double portrait, believed to depict the Italian merchant Giovanni ...
What is the infrared reflectogram of the painting?
Infrared reflectograms of the painting show many small alterations, or pentimenti, in the underdrawing: to both faces, to the mirror, and to other elements. The couple are shown in an upstairs room with a chest and a bed in it during early summer as indicated by the fruit on the cherry tree outside the window.
A Tale Of Two Cousins: The Identities Of The Arnolfini Portrait
The name Arnolfini became attached to this painting from the records of its previous owners. Originally owned by Don Diego De Guevara, an important collector, he gave the painting to Margaret of Austria in 1516. In two separate inventories of her collection, this is where the name “Arnolfini” first comes up.
Wealth And Gender Roles: Another Interpretation
Another interpretation of the Arnolfini Portrait is that it signifies the gender roles of men and women during this time.
Importance Of Clothing In The Arnolfini Portrait
Most importantly, the clothing of the Arnolfinis showcases their wealth and status within society. The woman wears a vibrant green gown that contains large folds, pleats and dagging of fabric with a blue underdress layered beneath. The trim of her gown is ermine fur, an expensive luxury saved for women of high social standing.
How Jan Van Eyck Created The Portrait
The Arnolfini Portrait is most famous for Jan van Eyck’s rendering of everyday objects in spectacular detail. This is seen ranging from the extremely fine lines of the dog’s fur to the immaculate brushwork, creating realistic imagery. One way he does this is through his use of light and shadow.
Lasting Legacy Of The Arnolfini Portrait
After all of this time, people continue to add to the discussion of the possible meanings behind the Arnolfini Portrait.
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By Adrienne Howell BA Integrated Studio Arts & BS Apparel Design Adrienne currently works as a photographer and visual artist in the Midwest. She earned degrees from Iowa State University with a BA in Integrated studio arts, focusing on drawing & painting, and a BS in Apparel Design with an emphasis on fashion and textiles.
Overview
The Arnolfini Portrait (or The Arnolfini Wedding, The Arnolfini Marriage, the Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife, or other titles) is a 1434 oil painting on oak panel by the Early Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck. It forms a full-length double portrait, believed to depict the Italian merchant Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, presumably in their residence at the Flemish city of Bruges.
Description
In the typical Dutch style, this painting contains an incredible mastery of form, brushwork and colour to create intense details.
The painting is generally in very good condition, though with small losses of original paint and damages, which have mostly been retouched. Infrared reflectograms of the painting show many small alterations, or pentimenti, in the underdrawing: to both faces, to the mirror, and to other ele…
Identity of subjects
In their book published in 1857, Crowe and Cavalcaselle were the first to link the double portrait with the early 16th century inventories of Margaret of Austria. They suggested that the painting showed portraits of Giovanni [di Arrigo] Arnolfini and his wife. Four years later James Weale published a book in which he agreed with this analysis and identified Giovanni's wife as Jeanne (or Giovanna) Cenami. For the next century most art historians accepted that the painting was a double portrai…
Scholarly debate
In 1934 Erwin Panofsky published an article entitled Jan van Eyck's 'Arnolfini' Portrait in the Burlington Magazine, arguing that the elaborate signature on the back wall, and other factors, showed that it was painted as a legal record of the occasion of the marriage of the couple, complete with witnesses and a witness signature. Panofsky also argues that the many details of domestic items in the painting each have a disguised symbolism attached to their appearance. …
Interpretation and symbolism
It is thought that the couple are already married because of the woman's headdress. A non-married woman would have her hair down, according to Margaret Carroll. The placement of the two figures suggests conventional 15th century views of marriage and gender roles – the woman stands near the bed and well into the room, symbolic of her role as the caretaker of the house and solidifying her in a domestic role, whereas Giovanni stands near the open window, symbolic of hi…
Provenance
The provenance of the painting begins in 1434 when it was dated by van Eyck and presumably owned by the sitter(s). At some point before 1516 it came into the possession of Don Diego de Guevara (d. Brussels 1520), a Spanish career courtier of the Habsburgs (himself the subject of a fine portrait by Michael Sittow in the National Gallery of Art). He lived most of his life in the Netherlands, and may have known the Arnolfinis in their later years.
Notes
1. ^ Ward, John. "Disguised Symbolism as Enactive Symbolism in Van Eyck's Paintings". Artibus et Historiae, Vol. 15, No. 29 (1994), pp. 9–53
2. ^ Elkins, John, "On the Arnolfini Portrait and the Lucca Madonna: Did Jan van Eyck Have a Perspectival System?". The Art Bulletin, Vol. 73, No. 1 (March 1991), pp. 53–62
Further reading
• Hicks, Carola, Girl in a Green Gown: The History and Mystery of the Arnolfini Portrait, London: Random House, 2011, ISBN 0-7011-8337-3
• Ridderbos, Bernhard, in Early Netherlandish Paintings: Rediscovery, Reception and Research, eds. Bernhard Ridderbos, Henk Th. van Veen, Anne van Buren, pp. 59–77, 2005 (2nd edn), Getty/Amsterdam University Press, ISBN 9053566147 9789053566145, google books