(ARTS 105) Analysis Paper Assignment
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105
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Arts Humanities
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Rhyne 1
Brookelynn Rhyne
Professor Capra
ARTS 105-B06
March 6, 2023
Analysis Paper Assignment
Jan van Eyck, regarded by much of the art community as the “father of oil painting” was
a leading force in 15
th
century art. In 1434, he produced
Arnolfini Wedding,
a depiction of the
marriage of Giovani Arnolfini and Jeanne de Chenany. van Eyck used a wood canvas,
specifically oak, coupled with oil paints to create this piece. The canvas is recorded as 82 x 60
cm. It is currently residing in London at the National Gallery. Jan van Eyck lived from 1390-
1441, and is noted to be apart of the most commonly know Renaissance movement. However, he
is also credited with being apart of the Northern Renaissance, Early Netherlandish, and the Dutch
and Flemish Renaissance eras. This piece clearly depicts the characteristics of the renaissance
movement: “increased awareness of nature, a revival of classical learning, and a more
individualistic view of man” (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023). van Eyck’s
interpretation of man in
Arnolfini Wedding
is good representation of the way that renaissance art
was defined.
The subject matter of
Arnolfini Wedding
is two people, said to be husband Giovani
Arnolfini, and wife Jeanne de Chenany, who appears to be pregnant. They way they are dressed
seems to be wealthy. Joining them is a very small, brown haired, dog. They are in a small room
lit with one window. In the room, there is red draped furniture, a bed, and what appears to be a
soft chair of some sort. Hanging from the ceiling is a candlelight chandelier. There is a broad use
of color and detail. The attention to detail is unmatched. If you look closely the reflection of the
couple can bee seen in the small mirror positioned behind them. His attention to detail is revered,
In an article written by Adrienne Howell, she emphasizes this fact while analyzing this painting
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when she says, “The Arnolfini Portrait is most famous for Jan van Eyck’s rendering of everyday
objects in spectacular detail. This is seen ranging from the extremely fine lines of the dog’s fur to
the immaculate brushwork, creating realistic imagery” (Howell, 2020).
In
Arnolfini Wedding,
van Eyck uses oil paints, which takes days to dry, and is easily
blended on the surface. This allows for uniform surfaces. Adding layers do not damage or disrupt
the layers below. This technique add subtle effects such as depth. He also strategically uses light
in this painting. He is able to manipulate the light and shadows within.
In my opinion, this painting is incredibly detailed and articulate. The artist uses all
aspects of the world to his advantage such as, light, shadow, color, and others. He has a clear
understanding of symbolism. Whether the true meaning is understood, the artist has left much for
people to analyze and form opinions. van Eyck effectively express the aura of the times by the
type of clothing, the bedding, and other pieces of furniture present. Many people have different
talent, and sometimes it is difficult to realize what it might be, however, I am confident that Jan
van Eyck was ware of his, and he used his gift to make beautiful art. God equips each and
everyone of us with special talents. Each of these are from God, and he receives the glory for all
things that we create. Scripture tells us in Romans 11:29, “From the gifts and the calling of God
are irrevocable” (English Standard Version Bible, 2019). Jan van Eyck was called to use his gifts
to make lovely art that evokes emotion. Art that makes people think and wonder. He inspires
people to create in whatever way they are called to do so. We are all uniquely made for a specific
purpose, and his particular occupational purpose was to be an artist.
Rhyne 3
Works Cited
English Standard Version (ESV) - Version Information - Biblegateway.com
, https://www.bible-
gateway.com/versions/english-standard-version-esv-bible/.
Eyck, Jan van. “Jan Van Eyck, the Arnolfini Portrait.”
Jan Van Eyck | The Arnolfini Portrait |
NG186 | National Gallery, London
, 1 Jan. 1970, https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paint-
ings/jan-van-eyck-the-arnolfini-portrait.
Howell, Adrienne. “The Arnolfini Portrait: Theories, Interpretations, and Analysis.”
TheCollec-
tor
, 1 Dec. 2020, https://www.thecollector.com/arnolfini-portrait-theories-analysis/.
“Renaissance Art.”
Encyclopædia Britannica
, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 5 Jan. 2023,
https://www.britannica.com/art/Renaissance-art.
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