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