Uncovering the Clues in a Compelling Jan van Eyck Masterpiece

The brilliant intricacies of the Arnolfini Portrait

The Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck. Oil on oak panel. 82.2 × 60 cm. National Gallery, London, UK. Image source Wikimedia Commons

Some works of art present a puzzle that’s so intriguing it demands to be explored.

This painting, usually referred to as The Arnolfini Portrait, was made by the Flemish artist Jan van Eyck in 1434. Though modest in size, it nonetheless contains an entire world of intricate details.

For a long time it was thought to be a straightforward representation of either a betrothal or marriage, but numerous objects within the painting — seeming to invite symbolic interpretation — have led historians to consider a fascinating array of alternatives.

Marriage Proclaimed

Detail of ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’ (1434) by Jan van Eyck. Oil on oak panel. 82.2 × 60 cm. National Gallery, London, UK. Image source Wikimedia Commons

It is the 15th century and the location is Bruges, in modern-day Belgium. Two figures stand before us wearing expensive clothes and adornments. The woman’s green gown is lined with squirrel fur, a garment that is thought to have required as many as 2,000 skins to complete. Meanwhile, the man’s velvet tabard features pine marten fur, serving as another indication of their affluence.