1. Today you will learn about the infamous…
Art Viewing Guide

2. THIS WHOLE PAGE SHOULD BE COVERED WITH WRITING WHEN YOU ARE DONE.
How to Do an…
Find in caption
Physical: where it is, surrounding (more important for sculpture)
Cultural Context: story behind the work, purpose, etc.
List what is in the picture
Draw image
Identify: tell what you’re talking about and where it is
Describe: tell how it is used
Explain: tell what affect that has on the viewer or why you think the artist did it that way
Do “Identify, Describe, Explain” for each element or principle
Choose ONE thing to talk about on each element or principle, but go into detail using “Identify, Describe, Explain” technique.
THIS WHOLE PAGE SHOULD BE COVERED WITH WRITING WHEN YOU ARE DONE.

3. Title: The Arnolfini Portrait Artist: Jan van Eyck Date: 1434 Place: National Gallery, London, England Style: Portrait Media: Oil on Wood -

4. Sketch: Who is the subject?-
Who is the subject?

5. Northern Renaissance Art
Painted in the Netherlands
Narrative
Meant to document impt. historical event: marriage
Why important?
Netherlands just as good as Italy
2 impt. people painted by the most important local artist
record of their marriage (legal document)
Commentary on obligations of 15th century marriage
What does this painting say about marriage in the 15th century?
Cultural Context

7. www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt -
Signature

9. www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt -
Close up of candle

11. www.westcler.org/gh/curlessmatt/arthistory/section12a.ppt -
Close up of mirror

12. Line Identify: Describe: Explain:
All lines in painting going towards the mirror
Describe:
Straight, implied lines of linear perspective
Explain:
Lines bring focus to the mirror (vanishing point)
Shows technical expertise, legal document, and Christianity of home

14. Color Identify: Describe: Explain: Giovanna’s dress
Complimentary colors of the red and green bring out the green of her dress. Draws audience’s eye
Explain:
Green symbolizes fertility, sexuality
Shows her role is to have babies
Yes! Green but no baby

16. Form Identify: Describe: Explain: Glass of mirror; half sphere Convex
Shows technical expertise, legal document

18. Texture Identify: Describe: Explain: Arnolfini’s Coat the trim
Smooth, soft, etc.
Explain:
Shows how he made his money

20. Space Identify: Describe: Explain: Positive Space of Arnolfini’s
the Arnolfini’s take up most of the area allowed for the painting.
They have positive space.
Explain:
they are the subject

22. Balance Identify: Describe: Explain: symmetrical balance
Left side- the window and Giovanni are weighted evenly with the bed and Giovanna on the right side of the painting
Explain:
shows both individuals as being equal

24. Contrast Identify: Describe: Explain: oranges below window
orange color and brown color contrast
sphere contrasts with rectangular prism
Explain:
makes the oranges stand out
shows Arnolfini’s wealth

26. Rhythm/Repetition Identify: Describe: Explain: puppy
Repeated lines, texture, color creates a rhythm
Explain:
shows the movement within the puppy’s fur
shows van Eyck showing off

28. Emphasis Identify: Describe: Explain: Giovanni’s shoes
value is used to emphasize Giovanni’s shoes
the shoes and area around it have more light
Explain:
shows Giovanni’s a man of the world (compare to where Giovanna’s shoes are)

31. Unity Identify: Describe: Explain:
2 most important elements that tie the work together
line/space
Describe:
the lines of the painting draw the audience’s eye through the painting and to a central point
space- clearly shows the subject of the painting
Explain:
makes the audience see this painting as both legal and spiritual
Unity