Comparing The Painting 'Giovanni Arnolfini And His Bride'

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In the 15th century painting Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride, Jan van Eyck ingeniously incorporates many everyday items that symbolize something meaningful in this snapshot of a marriage ceremony. Each item is placed very naturally in this painting and none of them stand out as being unusual, but still each has a meaning that adds to the idea of what this marriage is. These symbols also perhaps could be the artist's opinion on what a marriage should stand for. As I first analyzed this picture I noticed a few things. One of the more obvious symbols of marriage that was represented in this painting is the placement of the figures hands. The groom is holding the bride's hand in his left and his right hand is held up as if he's making an oath …show more content…

This mirror reflects the whole scene and is curved so it doesn't show just one part, but it shows the whole image from the floor to the ceiling. It shows not only the reflection of the bride and groom, but also the reflection of two other figures thought to be Jan van Eyck himself and another witness to the ceremony. As I looked closer at the mirror I saw small circular images that bordered it. At first I thought they were battle scenes but when I was able to see it clearer I saw they were bible scenes. More specifically, different scenes from the life of Jesus. Since mirrors show peoples reflection I thought that this might be a symbol of how the couple wanted their marriage to be a reflection of their Christian faith. This mirror could be showing the couples wish to reflect their piety and devotion to their faith in Christ through their …show more content…

Because dogs are known to be man's most loyal pet, it could have been placed in the painting to symbolize loyalty. Since a marriage is a union between a man and woman, this dog could symbolize the commitment that they are making to stay loyal to each other. There is also some fruit on the windowsill and table behind the bride and groom. Because fruit holds the seeds for trees, it could be seen as a symbol of new life or fertility. In this case it could symbolize the fruitfulness of the new couple in their child bearing. They could be a sign of the offspring that this couple wishes to or is planning to have. One other item that I thought had important meaning behind it is the duster that is hanging by the side of the bed that may symbolize the brides new part that she will play in the home. A broom or duster, used for daily cleaning, may become a part of her daily role and part of her duty in keeping a

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