Old & new habbits

I chose the image of "The betrothal of the Arnolfini" because I think that thre're a lot of similarities with our culture, that means our parents, but nowdays, the habitts changed and so we did.

In my image, I took as an example my parents wedding and the way that they decided to live, that means, the way I live.

It is kind of related with the characteristics on "The bethotal of the Alrnolfini".

1.- The rosary; The woman in gold (the bridesmaid) is giving the bride a rosary and a bible, this is an old habbit on catholic weddings, it represents the devotion, especially in the wife.

2.- The union; Is simbolized with a rope, it represents that the couple is going to be united for the rest of their lives.

3.- The dress; It represents the purity of the wife at the moment of the marriage.

4.- The windows; In the painting of "the betrothal of the Arnolfini" there was only one window, here we can see two. This is why in our society theres more equity, but, as you can see, one window is larger than the other one, this is why, the housband is the main supplier, but the woman can contribute too, but, (at least in the case of my family), the woman provides all as she can, but with the care of the family as a priority.

5.- The apples; There are three apples; we are three people in my family, this means that each one of us has been tempted in one or other way, and we had succumbed to it.

6.- The clouds; they represent the new ideas, different than the mentality of the old society, but maybe common in our society.

The betrothal of the Arnolfini

VARIABLES FOR PAINTING ANALYSIS
DATE: 06/10/09

CLASSIFICATION:

NAME OF THE WORK:
The betrothal of the Alfini

NAME OF THE AUTHOR:
Jan Van Eyck

PERIOD:
1434 Humanism

PLACE WHERE THE WORK IS AT:
National Gallery, London

TECHNIQUE:
Other…Oil on oak panel of 3 vertical boards


ANALYSIS
CONCEPT:
VARIABLES:

COLOR

tertiary or intermediate

PALETA

warm

APLICATION

tinted

COMPOSITION

balanced

TYPE OF LINE

pictorial

PERSPECTIVE
By geometric or linear perspective (vanishing point)

LIGHTING

Gradual

THEME
Local customs and manners

Portrait


PRINCIPLES




Symmetrical balance

Proportion
Rhythm
SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WORK
What is so special and unique about this work of art?
It has a lot of symbols that represent the culture and the society of that time.

RELEVANT EVENTS OF THE CONTEXT
¿ What was the prevailing atmosphere of the period? What was the cause of it?
This period is characterized by the appearing of paintings and sculptures that are not related to god, instead of it, there’re many sculptures and paintings about myths, legends and the human body is the center of the pieces.
What were the predominant political, religious or artistic ideologies?

Humanism


REFLECTION: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONTEXT AND THE WORK
Is this work of art reflecting the atmosphere of the period? In which way?

Yes, because it is focused in the life of the people, more specific in a ritual of that time, even now our society has many facts of that period.
Is this work of art reflecting the predominant ideologies of the period? In which way?
Yes, as I said before, it is focused in a ritual but not a completely religious ritual, it includes religion, but the center of the piece are the two people that are getting engaged.


PERSONAL REFLECTION
What are the aspects of the period that you identify yourself with? Why
Maybe with all the religious rituals, because I’m catholic and I was mannered to respect and follow all of those acts.




GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE PLACE OF ORIGEN OF THE WORK

http://www.belgium-mapped-out.com/image-files/belgiumcapitals.png

http://www.belgium-mapped-out.com/image-files/belgiumcapitals.png
http://psyc.queensu.ca/~psyc382/vaneyckimage.html
www.nationalgallerie.org.uk