The Arnolfini Wedding

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Recommended: Describe Jan van Eyck’s painting technique and style

Jan van Eyck has been one of the more prominent early Netherlandish painters during his time. He has had many famous works, however one of his more interesting and questionable pieces is The Arnolfini Portrait. There is much to be desired in this painting by the great van Eyck. Van Eyck has been a master painter most of his career, but in this painting he is able to show how his excellent painting skills can bring this painting to life. The Arnolfini Portrait, which measures 82 × 59.5 cm (32.3 × 23.4 in) is an oil painting on oak panel dated 1434. This painting is also known by other as The Arnolfini Wedding, The Arnolfini Marriage, The Arnolfini Double Portriat, or Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife. It is one of the only 15th century paintings to survive.
This painting is considered one of the more unusual paintings because of its perspective. We are able to both ends of the space due to the mirror that he has chosen to include in the painting. This technique was very interesting at the time because it stimulated more of the viewer’s sense of space. The mirror evoked a feeling of being in the scene of the painting and witnessing it for yourself.
"In its own way it was as new and revolutionary as Donatello's or Masaccio's work in Italy- Ernst Gombrich
Van Eyck was a great oil painter and brought his paintings to life using a layering technique. Van Eyck would layer thin translucent layers of paint over and over again to build his objects. This would give a natural glow to his subjects as if they were depicted in real life. He was a sort of hyper realistic painter. He took advantage of the oil paint medium and took it to the next level of detail by doing this. In The Arnolfini Marriage, Van Eyck pays close attention to the faces...

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... and has continued to wow us with his other paintings. His one of a kind techniques has raised the bar high for other painters that come after him.
CITATIONS:

1. "The Arnolfini Portrait." Jan Van Eyck. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
2. "Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portait." Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portait. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
3. "Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife by EYCK, Jan Van." Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife by EYCK, Jan Van. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

Works Cited

1. "The Arnolfini Portrait." Jan Van Eyck. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
2. "Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portait." Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding Portait. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.
3. "Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife by EYCK, Jan Van." Portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and His Wife by EYCK, Jan Van. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

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