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The heart-wrenching secret of an engagement: Why did the Arnolfini Portrait become a legal symbol of marriage?
"Portrait of Arnolfini" is an oil painting created in 1434 by the early Dutch painter Jan van Eyck and is now in the National Gallery in London. This painting is generally considered to be a full-length portrait of an Italian businessman, Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, at their home in Bruges. The style of painting and the iconography it presents make it one of the most original in Western art. and one of complexity. The painting's beauty, unique pictorial form and geometric perspective techniques, as well as its use of mirrors, have earned it a place in art history.
"In a way, it is as revolutionary as the work of Donatello or Masaccio in Italy. The painting magically fixes on the canvas a simple corner of the real world... .For the first time, the artist became a true witness."
Among many art historians, Erwin Panofsky believes that the painting is more than just a portrait and may be a unique record of a marriage contract. The signature and date of the painting certainly enhance the legal status of the painting, which becomes the focus of intricate legal symbolism.
The structure of this painting and the color techniques used show the luxury of the elegant life at that time. The Arnolfini's costumes are distinctive, and every detail in the painting accurately captures how light reflects off various surfaces, adding an incredible sense of vividness to the painting. Van Eyck's color palette exploited the properties of oil painting, allowing him to create soft tonal changes and three-dimensional effects that were unprecedented at the time.
"This painting is the only surviving northern painting from the 15th century in which the artist's figures are shown in some kind of action against a modern interior backdrop."
The images in "Portrait of Arnolfini" are not limited to symbols of marriage. Its analysis has triggered many academic debates, and it can provide a glimpse into the social structure and gender roles of the Middle Ages. The woman in the painting stands beside the bed, symbolizing women's domestic role; while Arnolfini stands by the open window, representing his external world and social status. This arrangement not only reflects the artist's superb skills, but also shows the society's understanding of marriage at that time.
As for the identity of the couple in the painting, many scholars once speculated that they were Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, but later research showed that they were not actually married at the time of the painting. This raises more questions about the true intention of the painting, is it simply proof of an engagement, or does it have some deeper meaning?
"Every household object has a vague symbolic meaning, and all aspects of interpretation allow the painting to present a multi-faceted interpretation."
Whatever the interpretation, the mirror in this painting is also an eye-catching focus. It reflects the world outside the painting and seems to emphasize the connection of marriage and the existence of marriage witnesses. Two figures appear in the mirror, which arouses great curiosity in the viewer as to whether the artist himself has been included in the painting.
Today, this painting has become one of the symbols of the legitimacy of marriage. The thinking it brings is not limited to art and techniques, but also extends to discussions at the social and cultural level. Doesn’t the emotional and legal reflection that this painting evokes in the viewer’s mind give us a new understanding and thinking about the nature of marriage?
