Mirrors In Van Eyck's Arnolfini Double Portrait

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A work of art is similar to a mirror; a mirror tells a story of one’s sub-conscience. However, someone else can see the reflection in the mirror as different. Artists who incorporate mirrors in their works of art are more than clever; artwork that has incorporated mirrors are more open to interpretation and can be visual puzzles for the viewers. Leonardo described the mirror as the "master of painters." Leonardo wrote, "Painters often despair of their power to imitate nature, on perceiving how their pictures are lacking in the power of relief and vividness that objects possess when seen in a mirror…." It is not a coincidence that mirrors are the central focal point in two of the greatest paintings, which are Van Eyck's "The Arnolfini …show more content…
The most significant symbols in the work of art are the mirror, the position and posture of the couple, and the dog. The circular mirror is located in the center of the painting, which emphasizes its importance. A frame that contains miniatures depicting events from Christ’s passion surrounds the mirror. The mirror is said to be the symbol of the ‘eye of God’. The backs of the couple are reflected in the convex mirror, as well as the reflection of two people bearing witness. Art historians believe that one of the people bearing witness is an image of Jan Van Eyck himself. The posture of Arnolfini and the woman is an important symbol. The woman is portrayed further back in the room to imply her domestic place as caretaker of the home. In contrast, Arnolfini’s posture implies authority and dominance, and the position of his right hand suggests a blessing gesture. The woman is portrayed as submissive, but not unequal to Arnolfini. The dog is the simplest of these symbols representing loyalty. Dogs have always been a symbol of fidelity. The name Fido comes from the Latin word that means ‘to
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