Van Eyck - Arnolfini and His Bride
Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride is a piece that has a great deal of symbolism along with legal function. Done in 1434, it was done with oil on wood and is actually only 2'8" by 1'11". The piece was a wedding portait and displays Van Eycks love of detail. Details such as hair had to be done with a single hair brush. First this work shows Arnolfini's wealth, being a silk merchant. He wears a fur coat, appearing in a room of extravigant furnishings. Also he dawns a very large hat which was symbolic of wealth at the time. His hand position is important, swearing an oath of loyalty and fidelit
She is the patron saint of child birth and is yet another example of fertility. Women would pluck their forehead back one to two inches as another expression of prestige. The chandelear has one lit candle that they will blow out after they consumate their marriage. Aristocratic women wore white headress and hair in horns. This begins the functioning of a legal document. The fruit is rippening by the window and the fruit all bares seeds, agian fertility symbolism. The green dress is associated with fertility and her form shows future pregnancy. Along with the religous episodes around the mirror and the rosary beads to the left. It was probably an arranged marriage and is important to show the premenition of child birth. They are bare foot to show respect for the ceremony. The placing of hands was done and then sworn in front of a noted republic. The dog is important because in latin Fido means faithful/loyal. He wrote; "Van Eyck was here" and dated the event.
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