The Arnolfini Portrait

The Arnolfini Portrait is one of the most famous paintings of the Early Renaissance, created by the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck. This painting is the first known double portrait in European art history.

The artwork, measuring 81.8 × 59.7 cm, was painted in 1434 in Bruges, which at that time was a major trade center of Northern Europe.

The Arnolfini Portrait serves as a visual testimony to a wedding ceremony. Moreover, it even “functions” as a marriage certificate, as it documents the presence of the artist - acting as a witness - through his signature on the back wall.

There is a theory that the painting depicts Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife, presumably in their home in Bruges. However, in 1997, it was established that they married in 1447 - 13 years after the painting was completed and six years after van Eyck’s death.

Jan van Eyck created his artwork with an almost reflective surface by using thin transparent layers of paint applied one over another. This is a characteristic Flemish multilayered painting technique that allows for achieving depth and richness of color.

This painting was groundbreaking for its time and significantly influenced the development of portrait art. It remains a mystery for researchers and a source of admiration for art lovers.

The Arnolfini Portrait can be seen in the National Gallery in London, where it continues to amaze with its depth and mastery.

P.S. Image attribution: Jan van Eyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons