Portrait of the Arnolfini Couple: Secrets and Encrypted Symbols in a Painting by Van Eyck

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The painting by Jan van Eyck "Portrait of the Arnolfini Couple" is considered the most talked about canvas of the early Renaissance. There are many hidden symbols encrypted in it, indicating what the plot is really about. Even after several centuries, disputes persist over who is depicted on the canvas and whether the author captured himself.

The painting was painted in Bruges in 1434. Its name became known only 100 years later from an inventory entry in one of the books. It read "A large portrait of Hernoult le Fin in a room with his wife." "Hernoult le Fin" is the French spelling of the Italian surname Arnolfini. In the 15th century, representatives of this family were fairly wealthy merchants.

For a long time it was believed that the painting depicts Giovanni Arnolfini with his wife Giovanna Chenami, but according to archival data it was established that they were married only in 1447, that is, after the painting was ready, and the artist was no longer in alive. Modern art historians are of the opinion that it could have been the same merchant, but with a former wife, or that it was Arnolfini's cousin.

The picture is a visual confirmation of Arnolfini's wedding, but then a question arises that worries the minds of all researchers - was the bride pregnant. If so, then the wedding was forced and from this a shameful measure. Then it is clear why the wedding takes place in a small room that does not in any way correspond to the high status of Arnolfini.

But there is also another opinion. Fashion historians explain that in the 15th century, all women's outfits were made in the "a la a little pregnant" style. Thus, the woman justified herself in the eyes of the church for the sin of the night and demonstrated that she was supposedly an "eternal mother." Moreover, fashion experts, looking at the portrait, claim that the outfit of Arnolfini's wife took at least 35 meters of fabric, that is, the woman simply supports the hem of the dress so as not to step on it.

Another interesting detail that explains the tradition of that time is the left hand, which Arnolfini holds on to his wife. Here we are talking about the so-called "left hand marriage." Such alliances were concluded between people from different social circles. A marriage contract was drawn up, according to which the wife could not claim her husband's inheritance in the event of his death, but only for the agreed monetary compensation. This document was issued to a woman on the morning after the wedding, which is why such marriages began to be called morganic or morganatic (from the German "morgen" - "morning").

The interior of the room is filled with items that symbolize the wedding. Oranges demonstrate not only the well-being of Arnolfini (after all, they were an expensive exotic fruit), but also personify heavenly bliss. Only one candle is lit in the chandelier - a symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit. A small dog is loyalty, a rosary is a sign of piety, a brush is cleanliness.

Arnolfini and his wife are depicted without shoes. His wooden patches lie on the side, and his wife's shoes are visible in the background., - said in the Old Testament. For both, the floor of the room at the time of the wedding was "holy ground."

The mirror on the wall deserves special attention. It reflects the figures of the main characters and the outlines of two more people. Their faces cannot be made out, but it is clear that this is a man and a woman. Art critics suggest that van Eyck portrayed himself and his wife. An indirect confirmation of this conjecture is the inscription above the mirror: that is, "Jan van Eyck was here."

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