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DAY 285 | A PICTURE’S WORTH 1000 200 WORDS |
The Arnolfini Marriage
JAN VAN EYCK, 1434
This painting is commonly interpreted as the portrait of a wedding between a rich Italian merchant, Giovanni Arnolfini, and his wife Giovanna Cenami. Evidence for this lies throughout the painting, and it’s all easy to spot—if you’re familiar with symbolism of the 15th century.
Weddings at the time of this painting were rarely carried out in religious ceremonies but were typically low-key events at which the couple signed a legal contract in front of two witnesses. Upon close inspection of the mirror on the back wall, there are two people reflected—one ...
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