Arnolfini Portrait Essay

The elements of art are broken down into categories. These address not only why but how an artist used key elements of their work. These categories can then be broken down into sub categories to address a more detailed form. Using the work Arnolfini Portrait, my goal is to discuss and define below how content, form, subject matter, and iconography are used.

Content is the subject matter, meaning, and feelings that you get or believe is being portrayed by the artist. Content of the painting may vary by person. For example, while some may see the subject as sad and solemn others may see them as peacefully and stoic. I believe that the artist is depicting a type of family portrait, and although the man and woman do not have the typical large smiles that we may

This should be what the artist main idea of what the piece is about. This piece is very direct as with the title and the subjects depicted by the artist. The subject matter of Arnolfini Portrait is obvious. Just as the title states it is a portrait of the Arnolfini family- a family picture. Form is another element of art. A Formal analysis of a piece of art would include examining the arrangements of the visual elements, and analyzing the content. Some examples of formal elements are color, shape, and surface texture. Basically, the form is the visual component to the piece. In the Arnolfini Portrait I find the colors that are used to be bright and uplifting. The scenery in the portrait seems to be realistic to the content. The subjects are portrayed in 3D and portrayed very naturally. Iconography is the interpretation of visual symbols, images, or the imagery used. This is basically the symbolism that the author “sneaks” into their piece. This may be done with color, symbols, or inanimate objects. Some of the obvious symbols that I noted in this piece is the prominence of wealth. Firstly, by the vibrant color of the woman’s dress. This is not the type of fabric that an