THE ARNOLFINI PORTAIT by JAN van EYCK Furkan
THE ARNOLFINI PORTAIT by JAN van EYCK Furkan Öztürk Damla Sürmeli
Jan van Eyck, Man in a Red Turban (self-portrait? ), 1433. London, National Gallery • 1380/90 -1441 • Natural Sharpness, Detail Mixing pigment and linseed oil enable van Eyck to built several layers • Christian Symbolism • Gothic influence • Elongated features • Light and reflection • Renaissance style in terms of the representation of 3 D space and figures Jan van Eyck, Ghent Altarpiece, (detail of God’s crown). Ghent, St Bavo’s Cathedral
Rogier van der Weyden, Descent from the Cross, 1435. Madrid, Museo del Prado Fra Angelica, Deposition from the Cross, 1432 -1434. Florence, Church of Santa Felicita,
Brief Information About the Portrait Artist: Jan van Eyck Date made: 1434 Medium and Support: Oil on oak Dimensions: 82. 2 x 60 cm Location: The National Gallery, London
Infra-red Reflectograms of the Arnolfini Portrait Pentimenti: The visible trace of earlier painting
Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini (c. 1400 – 1472) • Wealthy Italian merchant living in Bruges • Descendant of a powerful family in Tuscany, weaving expensive cloth. • Knighted and naturalized as a Frenchman by Louis XI. Jan van Eyck, Giovanni Arnolfini, 1436(? ). Berlin, Staatliche Museen. Orange was an expensive fruit. Shows wealth.
Perhaps the only consensus is that there is an important event taking place. How do we understand this? Blooming Tree Fur Two spectators are present. He is perhaps greeting them
Element of God Christian Symbolism Eye of the God Medallions around the mirror frame, Christ’s Passion & human witnesses
“Johannes de Eyck fuit hic” 1434 Jan van Eyck was here 1434
Wedding? Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini married to Giovanna Cenami and this painting can be the representation of the ceremony. Union Rosary and brush, popular wedding gifts. Fidelity and Eroticism
Position suggesting pregnancy. Also she indicates the richness of the clothes. Traditionally bride gives one candle to the groom and it suggest light of God.
Rogier van der Weyden, The Sacrament of Marriage, detail of the Seven Sacraments Altarpiece, c. 1448 Michael Pacher, The Marriage of the Virgin, c. 1495. Vienna, Österreichische Galerie
It is a private ceremony. Scenery is bedroom which is a sacred place. Book of Exodus: "Put off the shoes from thy feet. . . "
Posthumous Portrait? Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini, who is the cousin of Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini, married to Constanza Trenta in 1426 and she died in 1433. Single candle burning on Giovanni’s side but not on Constanza’s side.
Separation, Dexiosis(? ) Stele, Grave Marker, Greek Classical Period
Double Portrait of Marriage or Betrothal ➔ Marriage or engagement of Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini to Giovanna Cenami. ➔ BUT Is the ceremony depicted in a church? ➔ It is an alliance between two important families, not a sacrament of marriage. ➔ Exact dates are unknown. One source asserts that they married in 1447. 143? • Marriage 1434 • Double Portrait by Van Eyck 1441 1447 (? ) • Van Eyck died • Marriage
Memorial of a Deceased Wife ➔ Posthumous portrait of Constenza Trenta who is married to Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini. ➔ It is a reconstruction of their marriage dedicated to her. ➔ Timing is appropriate as she died in 1433. BUT: Is it possible to finish the painting in a year? 1434 1426 • Posthumous Portrait by Van Eyck • Marriage 1433 • Costanza Trenta Died
Problem: Which Giovanni Arnolfini was represented here? What do you think?
References Adams, L. S. (1994). A Histroy of Western Art. New York: Mc. Graw-Hill. Billinge, R. , Campbell, L. (1995). The Infra-red Reflectograms of Jan van Eyck's Portrait of Giovanni(? ) Arnolfini and his Wife Giovanna Cenami(? ). National Gallery Technical Bulletin Vol 16, pp 47– 60. Retrieved from http: //www. nationalgallery. org. uk/technical-bulletin/billinge_campbell 1995 Hall, E. (1997). The Arnolfini Betrothal. London: University of California Press Hicks, C. (2012). Girl in a Green Cown, The History and Mystery of the Arnolfini Portrait. London: Chatto and Windus Paecht, O. (1994). Van Eyck and the Founders of Early Netherlandish Painting. London: Harvey Miller Rynck, P. D. (2004). How to Read a Painting. London: Thames&Hudson Ltd. Seidel, L. (1993). Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Stories of an Icon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press The Arnolfini Portrait. Retrieved from https: //www. nationalgallery. org. uk/paintings/jan-van-eyck-the-arnolfini-portrait
VLADIMIR PUTIN?
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