The Arnolfini Portrait

"The Arnolfini Portrait," painted by Jan van Eyck in 1434, is a masterful example of Northern Renaissance art, depicting the wealthy Italian merchant Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife in a domestic interior, notable for its intricate detail and use of oil paint to achieve a high degree of realism. The painting is renowned for its complex iconography, including the convex mirror reflecting two figures, possibly van Eyck himself and another witness, and the artist's signature above it, which reads "Johannes de Eyck fuit hic 1434," suggesting his presence at the scene.

Jan van Eyck's "The Arnolfini Portrait," executed in 1434, is an oil painting on oak panel measuring 82.2 cm by 60 cm, depicting a richly detailed interior scene featuring a man and a woman, often identified as Giovanni di Nicolao di Arnolfini and his wife, standing in a domestic setting. The composition is notable for its meticulous attention to detail, including the convex mirror reflecting additional figures, the intricate textures of the fabrics, and the subtle play of light, all of which exemplify van Eyck's mastery of oil painting techniques and his contribution to the Northern Renaissance.