Art History Renaissance

Art History Renaissance

Refer to Van Eyck, Arnolfini Double Portrait. Discuss the possible iconography of this painting as revealed by symbolic representations. If possible, give more than one explanation for the symbolic representation depending on the theories and time period.

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The Iconography of Arnolfini Double Portrait

            Jan Van Eyck’s painting “Arnolfini Portrait is one of the mystery arts developed during the Renaissance period. It is a double portrait containing an image of an Italian merchant with his wife at a social event. A look at the interior of the couple’s clothes reveals that they are not autocrats and, instead a successful middleclass. For this reason, the Arnolfinis are not members of the royal family, as seen through the brass chandelier and furs used to decorate their clothes. The woman is also not pregnant as it appears on the portrait as the bump under the dress is a fashion item.

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