Tuesday, January 19, 2010

What is the most unusual aspect of the painting 'The Arnolfini Marriage' by Jan Van Eyck?

There is something unusual in the painting that a lot of people don't catch. What is it?What is the most unusual aspect of the painting 'The Arnolfini Marriage' by Jan Van Eyck?
There's a self-portrait of the artist reflected in the mirror.What is the most unusual aspect of the painting 'The Arnolfini Marriage' by Jan Van Eyck?
I've seen the painting in Ghent, Belgium. The most unusual aspect of the painting is that light and shadow in the painting matches exactly the actual light and shadow that comes in the window.

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The woman in the painting is not pregnent, she is merley holding up her dress. It does symbolize their wish to procreate. The one candle in the chandalier symbolizes the eye of God. The scenes around the mirror is the life of Christ. I want to know more about the bed post creature, looks pagan!

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There is a small monster-like figure above the couple's hands. Many of the details of the painting show the couple's piety or fertility (for example the Saint on the bedpost) perhaps this little grotesque figure, positioned over the wife's hand, could be interpreted as mocking this couple's wedding portrait as they never had the child that this painting seems to promise.
That two people so ugly would want themselves painted, twice. The Artist had to make it interesting so he painted himself in the mirror on the far wall. I really would like to know if the bride, looking 8 months pregnant in her green dress was hope and imagination or really prego.

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