The Arnolfini Portrait is an oil-on-wood painting by Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. It debuted in 1434 and now hangs in the National Gallery in London. The portrait depicts a member of the Arnolfini family (long thought to be Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini, but other alternatives have been suggested) holding hands with his wife in a luxurious Flemish residence.
It became famous for its lifelike subjects, usage of light, brushwork and texture. Also noted as masterful are its colors — van Eyck painted alla prima to help the colors pop. It is also notable for being one of the first paintings to incorporate perspective, with a small mirror behind the couple reflecting them as well as another person, presumably the artist. As such, it is now considered one of the landmark works of the early Renaissance.
Tropes:
- Conspicuous Consumption: A lot of things scattered around the room hint that the couple in the portrait is wealthy: her Pimped-Out Dress and jewelry, the oranges by the windownote , the Oriental rug, and the rich, heavy bed fabrics.
- Holding Hands: The couple's joined hands are at the center of the portrait, which is why art critics generally agree that they are a married couple.
- Mistaken for Pregnant: Many incorrectly assume the wife is pregnant. Having heavy dresses cut that way was the peak of fashion at this time and is meant to represent her wealth more than anything.
- Kilroy Was Here: Van Eyck signed the portrait with "Johannes de eyck fuit hic 1434" (which translates as "Jan Van Eyck was here 1434").
- Pimped-Out Dress: The woman's gown (in a rare green color, lined with furs, and having plenty of daggingnote ) was very luxurious for the time period. She is not pregnant like most people assume. The way her dress is cut was fashionable at this time, especially with rich women due to its opulent appearance .
- Precious Puppy: A cute lapdog looking out at the camera is at the painting's bottom center. It serves as another indicator of the couple's wealth.
- Pretty in Mink: Both husband and wife sport furs on their persons as another indicator of their wealth.
