Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait | National Gallery

This close look at van Eyck’s jewel-like masterpiece of 1434 considers the intrigue and wonder it sparked when it first went on show at the National Gallery in 1843.

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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.

Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN

[thor-]

Records show that Mrs. Arnolfini died the year BEFORE van Eyck created this painting. It's a MEMORIAL commissioned by Mr. Arnolfini to the memory of his deceased wife. These kinds of pantings were common. A 16th century portrait of the family of Sir Thomas More, for example, depicts his then wife, Alice, and his deceased, former wife too. In the above painting, Mr. Arnolfini stands by an open window looking out onto the world of the living. She stands before a bed, a symbol of sleep and repose. He almost stands underneath a lit candle, a symbol of the living. She almost stands under a candle stub that has gone out, a symbol of death. The mirror in the background is surrounded by scenes of the life of Christ. Those on the left side, where Mr. Arnolfini stands, depict His life and miracles. Those on the right side, behind Mrs., Arnolfini depict His passion and death. It took the National Gallery a long time to disagree with the long held belief that Mrs. Arnolfini isn't pregnant in this painting. Maybe in another 100 years it will agree that the painting commemorates her death.

[mindreader]

A compelling and moving description of this painting. Thank you.

[rockygrispen]

Nice to see the painting in real life a few years ago. I come from the birth place of Van Eyck: Maaseik (Belgium)

[stevenpayne]

I've always been struck by the hands. They are both painted so gently and gracefully. Yet their eyes turn away from one another, like a commitment already compromised in secret.

[rogersaxon]

... wonderful journey of colour, light, and texture from a canvas. Thank you!

[flonomcflooneyloo]

A few things left out of the analysis. Symbolism of the dog (faithfulness in marriage), the shoes being removed by both, the single lit candle (representing the Deity). The Latin inscription was thought to have been added later. Good video; thanks.

[Rubicon]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think the couple are not holding hands in the mirror reflection? The mirror portion is small and a little bit blurred on the computer screen, so I am not sure if I'm seeing it correctly. However if they are not holding hands in the reflection, that would be significant because in a painting this detailed and full of symbolism, it is unlikely that the painter would have "forgotten" this small detail.

[tamerebel]

This was a great summary, I read a whole book about this painting and you still managed to mention things that were unknown to me.

[Emilia-osvw]

I'm always intrigued how painters from this period were geniuses in depicting details and textures yet the humans in those paintings always look wonky. How does this happen?

[Ceaseless_Watcher]

"Shamrock Tea" by Ciaran Carson has a plot which revolves gorgeously around this painting. Highly recommended.

[iniohos]

It's a very nice painting, indeed. I think it would fit nicely in my living room. I wonder, National Gallery, what is your asking price? I would be very much interested in buying it.

[njgrandma]

I love the little dog! Is Mr. Arnolfini's hand raised in blessing?

[tanya_happyrich]

what are the dimensions of the original painting?

[diletant]

Please take away this absolutely unnecessary music. It obscures the explanation and does not add anything. It would be also logical to show the painting in its entity BEFORE or at the very FIRST minutes of the talk and not briefly at the LAST seconds of it. It feels very strange when the painting is presented in fragments while the whole painting is shown only at the end of the video.

[Jab]

I wanted to know more about the mirror.

[romulusbuta]

It seems like, becouse the scens with Christ from woman's side reprezents Christ dead, it seems that she was allready death at the time van Eyck painted this . Also, the candle up in the chandelliere, place on her side is not lightening !
So, this it seems like a comemorative portrait of her, ordered by her's still liveing husband !

[RocLobo]

I love the quintessential early mid 15th c. French style Chandelier. It would have been seen as very contemporary. You can almost always date the things by the sharp holly leaf pattern. I wish I could get one. as for mr. Arnolfini, I always wondered why he had no muscle tone.

[Tylwaa]

The orange on the windowsill has a face anyone notice??

[justinthyme]

The Dog is NOT refleted in the mirror,

[MrMsSihrus]

this is one of the paintings hanging on the walls in Resident Evil remastered