First Public Display: 1841 in a British institution, followed by a national gallery in 1843.
Immediate Attention: The couple depicted in the portrait and the nature of their relationship raised questions.
The Couple's Relationship
Marriage Scene: The couple might be greeting the spectator; interpreted as a marriage scene.
Victorian Mindset: Emphasis on sexual morality led some to speculate that the woman might be pregnant, suggesting a hasty marriage to legitimize the child.
Historical Context: Evidence from 15th-century art shows women holding bulky garments in a similar fashion was common.
Details of the Interior
Setting: Depicts a merchant (possibly Giovanni di Nicolao di Arnolfini) and his wife.
**Room Elements:
Right Side: Bed with red curtains, an expensive item shown off in living spaces.
Left Side: Open window revealing a cherry tree and oranges on the windowsill; oranges were luxury items indicating wealth.**
Artistic Composition
Use of Mirrors: Placed centrally, the mirror creates an illusion that compresses and expands space, inviting the viewer into the scene.
Narrative Elements: Reflection shows two figures entering the room, raising questions about their identity and the significance of their presence.
Inscription: Above the mirror, a Latin inscription states "Jan van Eyck was here 1434," serving as both a signature and a narrative device.
Texture and Technique
Contrasting Textures: Van Eyck's brilliant rendering of textures:
Light glancing off a brass chandelier and glass beads of a rosary.
Various surface textures like the carpet, fur lining of robes, and wooden heels.
Sensory Appreciation: The painting allows viewers to almost feel and touch the depicted materials, enhancing the engagement with the artwork.