20 pts : d look at the painting below. identify this painting and describe this work in terms of its subject, technique, and place in the development of art history.

The Arnolfini Portrait (other titles Arnolfini Wedding or Arnolfini Marriage)

Explanation:

This painting is an oil on oak panel by Jan van Eyck from the Netherlands. it is one of three panels. It forms a full-length portrait of an Italian Merchant and his wife/bride.  According to the Nation Gallery it is actually not depicting their wedding.  Many people believe she is pregnant but the dress is simply the style of the period.  

Subject: Giovanni di Nicola Arnolfini and his wife

Technique: Oil on wood

Place: Netherlands 1434

Development in Art History: It is considered one of the great paintings of the Netherlands Renaissance period and is completely filled with detail and complex symbolism. The brush work is so fine that it almost appears as a photograph.  In today's art it would be considered similar to Graffiti with how it is "tagged" by the artist. If you look closely at the mirror in the painting you will see two figures.  Once of them is presumed to be a self-portrait of the artists himself. Of course the mirror itself represents "God's Eye" watching over the couple and also reflects upon the mortality of the couple. The dog is a symbol of fidelity.  Scholars debate whether the painting was started while Arnolfini's wife was still alive or whether it was created posthumous after her death but they agree the use of symbolism of the candles (one alight and one snuffed out) represents her death.