The Mysterious Masterpiece That No One Can Solve

This painting is called The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck. This famous piece of 15 century Dutch art is filled with mystery and secrets. Who is the woman? Why is the dog there? Who are the figures in the mirror? Why is there only one candle? Why was this portrait even created in the first place? Let me know what you think in the comments section down below! Thanks for watching!

#arthistory #art #fineart #renaissance

[GeekFilter]

I remember my art history teacher going over many of these details and in the end saying "On the other hand if we had the opportunity to speak with the people involved in the painting they might just say 'Symbolism? No...the dog just knocked over the oranges and for the life of us we could never keep all the candles lit.'

[ChrisCSunshine]

You may be interested to know Artist David Hockney RA investigated this work and came to the conclusion that it was most likely made using a very early and then secret technique of the pinhole camera, lenses were a then very new piece of science and were made in this area at the time. David's conclusion was that it would not be possible to drawn by eye many of the elements particularly the hanging lamp. You may be able to find the documentary where Hockney investigate this and other works which use perspective and other cutting edge inventions which pushed art forward, sorry though I cannot remember what it was called although a search around David Hockney and illusion/perspective may help you find it if interested.

[ASipOfT]

I never would have known about all the symbolism in this painting. Really interesting to hear all the backstories and explanations! Although, I was really eager to hear what the imp-like statue in the back behind the woman's hand meant. Anyone have any thoughts on it?

[lexichanel]

17 years ago I took an art history class in high school and I can honestly say this piece of art is the only one I vividly remember learning about. It always stood out to me and will forever be my favourite painting.

[jimmyc]

This painting made a deep impression on me as a kid. They look so serious, but the man's hat is ridiculously big. I always assumed the lady was pregnant. And those shoes were crazy-looking and modern. You have pointed out even more fascinating stuff. Thanks!

[gyllenspetzfamily]

I feel like he's honoring his beloved dead wife and in his grief and survivors guilt asking her if he can move on and be fruitful. He is a man who had a facial deformity and his wife loved him and he was deeply impacted by her love. Look at all that green he put her in and look at his face and think about how long he waited to remarry. He was rich, women were definitely after him... I'd bet the artist had sketched her face before she died.

[BradReid]

For about 15 minutes of my life I was the only person present and ogling this painting at the National Gallery. Crazy!

[zyxw]

I love her perceptive comments. There are details that I've never noticed in this painting.

[pattydriver]

One of my favorite paintings. You’ve really started my mind thinking about the different interpretations of this famous painting! Thank you.

[karlag]

Ever since I was young I've always been fascinated with this painting. It looks like a simple portrait but it has so much to say.

[borleyboo]

I love the 15th century Dutch artists. This painting is one of my favourites. Thank you for making this video.

[meganivy]

So many fascinating aspects that I would not have noticed if you had not pointed them out. Beautiful

[valeriemcdonald]

I always turn these (possible) memento mori paintings sideways to see if the standing figure actually looks like the reference could have been lying down. She certainly looks like she might have been, with her head propped on a pillow, one arm across her chest, and the other being held up with the palm opened. Maybe the painting was started when she died, and finished a year later.

The man's pose is the same as the one priests use today for giving a blessing, dunno if it was the same historically. Maybe the people in the doorway represent her parents, and he is letting them take her with his blessing? Did her parents predecease her? It just seems likely to me that it's a family portrait.

Probably one of the best explanations I've heard about this painting, and you made only 6 minutes! This needs to be longer, more details, everything you know! Please!

[loredanagasparotto]

wow! this video is amazing! it must have taken forever to create it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

[xbrandix]

I don't know anywhere enough about art as I should. I really enjoyed this video and your detailed commentary is excellent!! There are so many things in this painting I likely would not have noticed had you not pointed them out. I definitely don't know a lot about symbolism used in art so the things about the candle and the dog are fascinating to me!! I definitely will be watching more videos on this channel. Excellent job!

[sayu]

I've seen this painting ages ago when I was just 8 and it gave me the chills...it's still scaring me to this day

[wakeupuk]

I have always admired this painting especially as others saying real life how small it is plus when a young man I was a draughtsman and was taught perspective for quite some time as well - so those skills I feel do give some basis for my respect for Jan Van Eyck. Now many years older and for the last three years taking up oil painting on a daily basis I know how incredibly difficult it is to control a brush with oil paint to get a fine line in the way Van Eyck does, plus the time for the paint to dry (days sometimes) so you can glaze over it, I now have so much respect and awe for this artist than ever before. Considering the absolute rubbish that so-called artists now call art when compared to this absolute genius and master of the brush, we have in fact declined in artistic skills. I have looked at a great number of paintings, especially 20th century years but as yet, no way does any of them match this man's skill.

[candacejourdan]

Incredible! The intricacy is amazing! Love it! ❤

[ellasmommy]

I am a medievalist and have used this painting for reference when I'm doing medieval arts. And I just learned more about this painting than I ever did in a book. Now I want to see it in person