Northern Renaissance

Van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434, Northern Renaissance, Oil Painting

What is the Northern Renaissance? In the 14th and 15th centuries, artists in Northern Europe – as in southern Europe – began to depict the world in a more realistic way. While Southern artist created this through the study of anatomy, perspective, while northern artists achieved it by developing and mastering oil paint and paying precise attention to detail.

Medieval Madonna and Child Leonardo Da Vinci MADONNA AND CHILD

Colours Subject

The heavy fabric and deep folds tell us that it is a cold climate therefore it is most likely the North.

Subject and Details The Arnolfini Portrait is a painting of a couple who are showing their social class as well as the relationship the two people have.

This painting is rich with detail and symbols with have been lost in present day but were recognizable by viewers when the painting was created. Every object in this painting has a specific meaning.

Something's that we notice are the woman’s large forehead and the dress which is making her look pregnant. Ideas of beauty have changed since this painting was created. The woman is not pregnant as that would not be acceptable as the couple is not married.

Two figures are reflected in the mirror, above which is a Latin inscription that means “Jan van Eyck was here/1434.” It has been suggested that the inscription was a marriage certificate, with van Eyck a witness to the ceremony. In the mirrors frame is the story of Jesus which shows the attention to detail van Eyck had.

The single candle symbolizes the light of god and all seeing eye.

By the clogs beginning removed it means that an event is taking place on holy ground. The two figures folding hands also shows that the couple is joining in marriage.

The oranges and the fur are signs of affluence The oranges and the fur are signs of affluence. Oranges needed to be imported which was not affordable for most people of the time.

The little dog symbolizes fidelity (the common canine name Fido originated from the Latin fido, "to trust")

Elements and Principles of Design Linear Perspective is used to give the viewer a sense of space. The composition is symmetrically balanced. The consistent lighting is part of the painting’s realism. The way light and shadows appear indicate several light sources, the window, an open door seen in the mirror and an unseen window. The realism of the green dress is heightened by placing it next to its complementary colour, red. The colours have significance; green signifying fertility, red signifying passion.

Technique Van Eyck has created an excellent sense of realism that is only possible with the use of Oil paint. Because oil paint draws slowly and can be applied in many thin layers of paint. He also used his finger tips and rags to eliminate any signs of brush marks.

This painting is significant because it shows how van Eyck was a pioneer in oil painting and rich detail with The Arnolfini Portrait as an example of his exceptional technique.