Although I have many favorite paintings, all of which seem to be very detailed, I do not appreciate another painting quite as much as this one by Jan Van Eyck. This painting, titled The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait, has captured my attention since I first saw it in a textbook in high school. Although my initial draw to this painting was due to its elemental characteristics, I became more fond of it when I learned of all the subliminal messages throughout the painting created by the particular placement of certain objects and inclusion of others. For example, at a glance, a viewer would note that a man and a women appear to be in a bedroom having a conversation; accompanied by their dog. However, the shoes that are placed in the lower left hand corner of the painting symbolize that the subjects are standing on holy ground, according to some scholars. The dog is a symbol for fidelity or trust. The stance of the both the man and the woman suggests that they are taking marriage vows, which justifies the meaning of the two previously mentioned symbols. There are also two references to God in this painting: one being the single, lit candle and the other insinuated by the convex mirror behind the two figures. One of the figures reflected in the mirror is Van Eyck himself, explained by the inscription above the mirror, which reads "Johannes de Eyck fuit hic". The words translate into English that Van Eyck was present (http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth214_folder/van_eyck/arnolfini.html). These symbols add to the emotional depth of the painting and only serve as compliments to the incredible simulated textures shown in the woman's gown, the dog's fur, and the reflection in the mirror. All of these elements combine to create what I have found to be a very visually striking and thought-provoking piece of art.
