Arnolfini Portrait

artist

Jan Van Eyck
specified artist

year

1434

size + material

82 x 60
oil on oak

used for

* status
* gender
* nationality

compare with

* portrait…Mexico (gender, nationality)
* augustus (gender, nationality)
* Venus of Urbino (gender)

showing?

a wealthy merchant and his deceased wife in a living room.

man (Arnolfini)

* italian, in Belgium realistic- show off money for commissions
* harsh expression,
* straight glance - dismissive of wife

woman (wife)

* idealistic, pale possible depiction of 1st dead wife
* head tilted, looking at him - submissive

mans clothes

* black robes - show prestige and nobility in Italy
* fur hat - wealth, show off even in summer

woman's clothes

* lots of fabric - show off mans trades, wants her to be seen with materials complementary
* red and green - she belongs there
* veil - expensive materials (lace, fur, wool), white for purity, lace from bruges,

dog

* loyalty = fidelity in marriage

window

* shows outside
* on mans side - he goes out + travels
* fruit on tree - summer time, symbolic of children OR garden of eden

bed

* on woman's side - stays at home, haves children in
* living room - project wealth

orange

* spanish = well traveled
* rare import - wealthy

outdoor shoes

* well traveled
* goes out a lot

chandelier

* expensive brass
* candle not on women's side - dead, memorial

mirror

* convex - rare c
* rucifixion around edge - religious
* rosary beads - religious
* 2 people seen in it

broom

* hanging off bed post
* keep room tidy - woman's role

figure on bed

* St Margret - provide children

rug

* Turkish/ Middle Eastern - traveled

nationality?

* name = typical italian surname
* black robes = symbol of nobility in Italy
* crucifixion around edge = catholic, common in Italy
*

gender?

* outdoor shoes + window on mans side = he goes out and earns the money
* bed on woman’s side = role to stay at home + have children
* woman’s head is tilted and looks away = submissive role, typically feminine
* Arnolfini straight stare and stern expression = manly and in control, dismissive of wife
* idealised body, w smooth skin and elongated hand = show her as gentle, elegant and womanly
* broom on the bed post = role to clean house, prep for husband

status?

* veil - expensive materials (lace, fur, wool), white for purity, lace from bruges
* lots of fabric - show off mans trades, wants her to be seen with materials complementary
* black robes - show prestige and nobility in Italy, even in summer
* oranges and Turkish rug = wealthy enough to gain forgiven luxury
* bed in living room - project wealth, put in there to show off
* outdoor shoes = well traveled, afford trips