Jan Van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait, oil on wood, 1434, Bruges
(National Gallery, London)

Jan Van Eyck was a famous artist during the Northern Renaissance.   This painting in particular is considered one of the most original and complex paintings in Western art history.  The painting was done in oils rather than tempura, and is noted to be one of the first of its kind.   Van Eyck had a special talent for bringing detail and light into his work.

The painting is assumed to be created for Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife.  Giovanni was a merchant who was born in Lucca to a wealthy family and moved to Bruges in Flanders when he was very young.  He worked for the family business trading precious items such as silks and tapestries.  There is some speculation as to which Arnolfini is pictured in this piece.  The painting itself has several names such as “The Arnolfini Wedding”, “The Arnolfini Marriage”, “The Arnolfini Double Portrait” or the “Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife”.

There were approximately five Arnolfinis living in Bruges around the time this piece was commissioned.  It is believed Giovanni di Nicolao was the most likely candidate since he was around for several years prior to 1434, and therefore would have had time to become well acquanted with Van Eyck.  He was also wed to Costanza Trenta, who also came from a wealthy family in Lucca, in 1426.  She would have been approximately 21 years old when the painting was done.  However, she passed away in 1433, and it is speculated the painting is a reminder of their marriage for Giovanni.

The Arnolfinis were related to the Medicis and most likely did banking through their Bruges branch.  Costanza’s mother, Bartolomea, was the daughter of Giovanni di Amerigo Cavalcanti.  He was a Florentine of notable stature and well acquanted with the Medicis. In 1416, Bartolomea’s sister was married to Lorenzo de’Medici. It is through this family connection that the death of Costanza is known. On February 26, 1433, Bartolomea writes from Lucca to Lorenzo de’Medici to congratulate them on the birth of their son, and to inform them of the death of her daughter Costanza.

Van Eyck had such an amazing talent for realism and attention to detail.  This painting has several symbolic meanings all related to the couple and their marriage.  For example, the two figures are exquisitely dressed and surrounded by items that represent wealth.  Even the oranges on the table by the window are extremely rare and costly.  Many people think Costanza is pregnant from the way her dress gathers at the stomach and her hand placement, though it is actually just the style of dress from that time.  There is a carved figure of Saint Margaret on the bedpost, who is the patron saint of pregnancy and childbirth.  The artist’s signature on the back wall is speculated to be a witness signature for the wedding, and the images reflected in the mirror are thought to be the two witnesses as well.   It is thought that Van Eyck used a magnifying glass to paint the minute details.

I enjoy discovering new items in this painting every time I see it.  There is a lot of speculation about each item, and worth the time to research.  The painting is so rich in detail and symbolizes their love and unity in marriage.  I like the portrayal of the sanctity of their union and the permanent reminder of the love they shared.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnolfini_Portrait

http://www.smarthistory.org/Van-Eyck.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Arnolfini

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PAL/is_499_158/ai_109131988/pg_4/