Jan Van Eyck's The Arnolfini Wedding

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Jan Van Eyck (Flemish, before 1390-1441), The Arnolfini Wedding, 1434, oil on oak panel of 3 vertical boards, 82.2 cm × 60 cm, National Gallery of Art, London is an art piece that has symbolism everywhere you look and exquisite detail from the artist. Starting at the front a couple stands out to the observer and as you move on back you notice more of the little details. Wherever you look the observer will find something new to examine.
Starting at the front of picture the first things that jumps out at the observer is the couple that appears to be getting married. They are holding hands and she is looking down being respectful and pledging her fidelity. They are both wearing velvet apparel and are depicted as wealthy by the details …show more content…
When looking at the elements of music the listener can see how this piece is separate yet one.
The first section the listener hears is the accompanied recitative of Saul. Recitative in Oratorio is used to present soliloquys in free irregular rhythm, melody from natural vocal inflections, simple background harmonies, syllabic text setting, free form without repetition and expression of the text content and emotion. The natural inflections of the voice allows the voice to follow emotions as if he we speaking. This technique adds more emotion to the work.
Next we have the dialog between Jonathon and Saul. The dialog is dry recitative. It has the same rhythm, melody, harmony, text setting styles and free form as before. This piece is considered dry because of the accompaniment by harpsichord and ‘cello only.
Lastly, we have the chorus, which ties the two other sections together. The chorus serves the function as a way of commenting on the implications of the action. It has three sections of imitative polyphony on different melodies each for a different idea. Then the chorus transitions into
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