As I was looking at the image of this painting, I had this thought that it is both a memorial to his deceased wife and the metaphorical room wherein his memory of her resides. A few things made me think this: The idealised interior (the physical materials and the implied presence of god), the warm clothing worn in the summer (if we play along with the notion that outside the door is the real world), something odd about the mirror - as though it somehow implies an alternate reality, and his shoes by the door which are very much of the material world and are soiled.

IF this is a posthumous portrait of the woman (a believable hypothesis, whether true or not) the guttered candle over the woman and the lit candle over the man would be perfectly understandable and wonderfully symbolic. On a more mundane level, we discovered your channel only recently, and I shall be quite sorry when we've caught up and can only watch one new episode a week.

I'm so glad you chose to highlight this painting. 38 years ago I began college as an art major. My Art professor described the iconology almost identical to what you explained. He didn't know the couple at all, but told us it was a wedding "contract". The dog was loyalty and faithfulness. The mirror was the eye of God watching over. The single candle the light of God. The woman's dress meant her willingness to bare many children. The guests were explained to be the witnesses. The fruit, a symbol of a fruitful marriage and life together. I always loved iconology and it was this painting that started that love. Thank you so much for presenting it! Liz

I would stare for hours at this painting in an art book we owned as a child. All the brilliant colors and fascinating folds in the fabric! Thank you for taking me back to some happy childhood memories. :)

I read the article...YES! 🤣🤣🤣 The recreation of the dress was fascinating also. What strikes me about the portrait is the expressions on the faces of the subjects. They seem to lend weight to the theory that it a memorial portrait to his late wife. The couple don't seem to be in the same realm. His gaze is straight forward and quite sad. Hers is downcast and seems far away, as if this world has little pull on her. Yet the slight touch of their hands indicate a connection that transcends time and death itself. The symbols of spirituality in the room are like a reminder of resurrection and life eternal for those who rely on the promises of God. Oh well, it's just an idea.

My mom has been a professional seamstress for as long as i can remember( her side-job on top of teaching 1st grade) & in the mid-80's she had a art history grad student contact her to help this chick with her final project for her degree- they had to choose one of their favorite pieces of art to recreate & present w explanation of their interpretation of the piece. As you can probably guess, my mom actually worked w this gal for several months dissecting the green dress the woman is wearing in the Arnolfini portrait & making as close a copy as possible, using much guesswork & experimentation in the same way they did on the Amber Bouchard program-- the dress wound up costing quite a bit of money for the materials & mom's time spent in the research, pattern fabrication, production of the several layers involved in properly reproducing every component involved- from the underwear out! They worked for months, I remember her coming back after her presentation & receiving her final grade: of course she had the highest grade in her class!! I didn't know back then how important this project mom worked on really was, she did a fantastic job on it & I'm still extremely proud of her!!

I’ve always been fascinated by this painting. As to the morganatic marriage theory, I wonder if one would be memorialized in such a manner. I can’t recall ever seeing one portrayed in painting. I tend to agree that this is a memorial image of Giovanni’s first wife.

I've never even considered the "who" in this painting, because the incredible attention to detail captivates me so much. Just the reflection of the prayer beads on the wall as the light shines through them...not to mention everything else. Gobsmackingly, fantastically beautiful.

I've spent many hours staring at this in London, it's one of my myriad favourites lol!!! I know which world leader he reminds me of, eek. The detail is fabulously intricate, such breathtaking talent. I love the mirror, rosary and the dog (fido) in particular. The picture is all the more fascinating because we don't know exactly what it represents. Although there is no mistaking the fact that the Arnolfini were cloth merchants, the liberal use of various material and fur is overwhelmingly obvious imho. Thankyou for your insight Dr Kat. It's brilliant and gives us food for thought as ever. Stay safe xx

Thank you so much for talking about this portrait! I've been fascinated since I discovered it, and have been reading a bit about it but I learned SO much from your discussion on it. I think the interpretation of it as a memorial portrait carries weight, especially if you interpret the symbols of life and death on the left and right sides respectively (the lit and unlit candle, the death of Christ on the mirror being on Constanza's side and his life on Giovanni's side, for example). Also you're so right about noticing something new every time, I'd never seen the red pair of shoes until this video! The medieval "Van Eyk woz ere" makes me laugh every time 😂 Thanks again for all your research, I really enjoyed this video!

I have been binge watching all your vlogs for the last two days! So much information, I love it! On the fruits: I think these might be peaches. Certainly the fruit in the window sill looks more like that. I seem to remember having read in an article about the rich merchant families in the Netherlands at that time, it was fashionable to grow fruits agains the sun-catching walls of the garden. It was seen as an achievement and a hobby at the time. The article concerned the merchants as patrons of poets and writers such as Vondel and Brederode.

A wonderful commentary, thank you. This painting is an old friend. I first viewed it as a 20 year old on my first visit to London. Now, in my late 50s, and a permanent resident in the capital, l have looked over this masterpiece more times than l can remember. It still dazzles me as it did all those years ago!

Mirror reflection: I see what looks like a midwife, holding two swaddled infant heads. There are so many references to pregnancy/birth/death. So, perhaps, what the story painting is telling us is that there was a difficult birth ending with the death of three loved ones, and this is their memorial.

I absolutely love how each part of paintings like these had some sort of meaning

What a fantastic addition to my morning! Even if I'm now back to longing for more episodes of A Stitch in Time...

I love this painting. I had always presumed that the man's raised right hand was as representing some form of blessing, of a benediction. Re the woman's dress, and the way it appears to make her seem pregnant, I thought that, for the "higher classes" at the time, this was a general, fashionable style that the women looked "fertile". Dr Kat, I'm really enjoying these mini lectures that you are producing. I love history, particularly the C15th, and C16th. I live in Sheffield, Yorkshire, where Mary Queen of Scots spent 14 of her 22 years imprisonment, under the watch of George Talbot. So this part of the C16th in particular fascinates me. I look forward to watching more of your informative, and thought-provoking mini lectures. Thank you so much l. :)

Dr. Kat, I absolutely love this topic, and your discussion of this intriguing portrait (I always bypass your videos on gruesome subjects like torture, between COVID 19 and rioting against racial injustice and brutality, life here in the US is gruesome enough). This, I think, is the type of subject that benefits most from your considerable intellect and extensive education. Every time I study this painting, I observe different things in it and think different thoughts about it. My current impression of the situation portrayed in it is that it is, in fact, a memorial portrait of a beloved, deceased young wife. First, I think if it were a betrothal or marriage ceremony, the woman’s hair would be uncovered, and this lady is shown wearing the indoor head-dress of a wealthy married woman. Second, although betrothal ceremonies were mostly done in the private homes of the bride or groom’s family, or in that of a relative, I think more witnesses would likely be present, usually at least the parents of both the bride and groom, if not the extended families, god-parents, patrons and maybe a few friends of each family. Also, a priest would be present at a marriage ceremony, and possibly at a betrothal (it’s difficult to see the figures reflected in the mirror, but neither stands out as a priest). Third, marriages were usually conducted at the door of a church (often that of the bride’s parish), even for the high-born, with a nuptial mass inside the church after, followed by a wedding breakfast of some sort at (usually) the bride’s home. Fourth, the raised right hand of the groom is not, as far as I know, associated with either troth-plighting or wedding ceremonies, but with oak-taking, and the bride does not reciprocate the gesture. So, the portrait doesn’t seem to fit either a betrothal, wedding, or a celebration afterward. Another, but I think slight, possibility is that the scene portrayed might be that of a proxy (betrothal or wedding) ceremony, which were much more common then (even my Dutch great-grandparents were married by proxy, as is remembered by the descendants of the proxy groom) and that the oath-taking shown in the portrait was to swear that the man was in fact the authorized proxy. However, I have no historical knowledge to back that up. I think the single lighted candle simply follows the common, not very formal, practice of lighting a candle in memory of a lost loved one. I don’t think the presence of the bed is all that significant; to our modern eyes it seems so, but it should be remembered that the bed was the most expensive, and usually the only comfortable, item of furniture in the home, and was displayed in the best chamber. Beds were used as the sofas of those times, with residents receiving visitors of all sorts all through the day while sitting or reclining upon them. Continued...

We studied this painting in an art history class. We were told that it was a visual marriage certificate or document. We were told that the dog symbolizes domesticity. You also hit upon many details I had either forgotten about or weren't told about. I want to hit the article you include and read more. Yes, van Eyck signed it. Very similar to Michelangelo, who, when finished carving The Pieta, chiseled on Mary's sash, "Michelangelo Buonnaroti made this." Chutzpah and pride -- he must have been bustin' his buttons with pride at how The Pieta turned out. Kind of like an early brand or logo! Van Eyck's signature may have been more on the order of a witness signature to this marriage. I always loved the way he included us, the viewers, in this painting by painting us in the mirror. To me it looks like a man and woman, but who they might be is a mystery to me anyway....they are us, I guess. I watched the vid on creating a copy of the dress, which was incredibly detailed. All the clothing would have weighed quite a bit, but in a dank and poorly heated house, at least the woman was warm! I suspect that in a Holland city with lots of canals or near bays or the sea, the houses would have been cold and very damp. The wooden clogs prevented expensive fabric shoes with leather soles from becoming wet and caked with mud and dung -- streets were very dirty and filthy in the olden days. Even NYC at the turn of the century there was still so much horse dung ground into the cobbles that often there was no place to cart it off to, it was so thick and the smell must have been horrible, esp. in summer. WHEW! One reason women's skirts eventually were raised from trailing on the ground to ankle high was to keep the dresses cleaner and prevent them from dragging germs and filth into houses, and that was fairly recent, 1900+.....

Waldemar Januszczek has analyzed this portrait from an art history perspective as a Wedding Portrait. He describes the fabrics and the sources. He does not conjecture on the meanings of candles or furniture placement, etc. When very little, if any, documentation exists it is easy to project into a painting our own meaning. It is stunningly beautiful, that’s enough for me.

I've been curious about this painting for years. Thank you for the in-depth explanation of symbolism. I also just realized the abundance of cloth in her dress, inhibiting her movements, is another device to cloister women in the home. A woman that is allowed freedom in public can possibly become impregnated by a male other than her legal husband or guardian, therefore compromising the inheritance of wealth. It's a condition women in wealth bearing relationships have endured for thousands of years. Think of the Chinese binding the feet of women, inhibiting their movements, restricting them to their home. Or actually corralling women into harems.

You did a nice job of covering the salient points. Hypothesizing about art is always a perilous activity. I have always contended that the artist speaks directly to the viewer without the help of the narrator. This man's face tells you everything you need to know about the purpose of the picture. His look is wistful and haunted, and he is not looking at this beloved. Her look is other worldly and distant.

Thanks for providing more insight into the picture. I loved Amber Butchart and Ninya Mikhaila recreation of this dress, so its a favourite. They discuss in detail the way that the dress is worn and the fabric carried and recreate it. I enjoyed learning more about the furnishing - would love that chandelier!

Fascinating detail and I am especially fascinated by the convex mirror

Thank you for reviewing the Arnolfini Portrait. I've always liked the portrait but knew next to nothing about it. I became a subscriber a few weeks ago and I'm slowly going through your videos. I do like how you have additional references in your description boxes, as you do in this one with A Stitch in Time and the Guardian article (and I think the man in the portrait reminds me a bit of Adam Driver). Suggestions for future videos: the Great London Fire of 1666; the Codex Gigas; the process of illuminating manuscripts; review of The Lion in Winter; Tudor knot gardens; the Jane Bostocke sampler.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! One of my favourite portraits & thank you for your excellent information.

That was the most extensive discussion of this piece I have ever heard. A fascinating picture, I love it!

This was an absolutely wonderful analysis. I hope you do more like this!

I love his work. The detail and beautiful colors. This one in particular had always fascinated me. I think you've done a wonderful job of describing this portrait. I know it so well i was able to close my eyes and just listen to your descriptions. Thank you for such an in depth look at my favorite of his works.

Have loved this painting forever‼️Your narrative captures so many of the fine details I always marveled at. When I was in high school, we didn’t get into the subtle messages that are in every painting. Teacher’s lesson times are pretty full, but discussions about subtleties is intriguing to students. When I taught, I remembered this from my experience and when we had time; would bring an art piece into a lesson for chat. It was always engaging to the kids. They are quite insightful when given a chance to express their thoughts. Thank you. I really enjoyed your analysis of this great work. Stay safe‼️👊🏽

Love the thorough analysis of this painting. Looking forward to more.

I love listening to this, I find it fascinating looking at the clues within a picture that give a potential insight into lives of the people featured.

I am always curious about the motives of the people who downvote videos as well produced and informative as this one. I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis. This painting has fascinated me for nearly all my life. I tend to think of it as a memorial. As evidence I also looked at the hands. His is raised. Is it a vow or is it an arresting gesture 'please don't go'? While hers is sliding backward out of his grasp. Is that a look of sad regret and resignation on her face? He does not look at her. His eyes slide from her as if he doesn't really see her. I know this is a solemn event that is portrayed here. It always made me cry.

I was introduced to this painting when at school in 1978, and have always loved the mystery and the detail. I've had the pleasure of seeing it when in London. It is captivating.

that was so interesting. ive never thought to look at a painting in such depth, but that was fascinating

Thank you. You opened my eyes to many facts that I never even noticed. Very informative.

A perfect way to spend my lunch. I love this work of art and adored the Sitch In Time episode. Thank you for further exploring such a great piece.

The notion that this is a memorial portrait, and the woman depicted is a ghost, is supported by art historian, Margaret L. Koster, among others. It's the most sensible explanation at this moment. The provenance of the painting is just as fascinating as the work itself, and I can highly recommend "Girl in a Green Gown" by Carola Hicks. Also a ghost, as she passed away just before publication of her book. Thank you, Dr Kat, wherever you are. Greetings from the Netherlands.

WOW! THIS MADE MY DAY, THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH! I am always available to help with tech issues!

Just discovered this channel via your analysis of Anne of Cleves ... my interest in the Tudor period melding into an even keener interest in art history. Subscribed - and can't wait to start bingeing! Thank you.

I think the use of red in the painting also points to the idea of a memorial painting for a woman who died in childbirth. The first hint of red is on the fruit on the left by the window. Fruit is a symbol for fertility, even early pregnancy because of the association with seed. The red seems to almost fan out or, one could see it as "bleeding" across the painting. The bed is enormous and could be seen as a symbol of death in childbirth. I also find it touching that the red elements in the room seem to be objects that the wife would have spent the most time with. Her slippers, her favorite spot to lounge and the luxurious bed they shared are all blood red reminders to her husband of a life cut short. I can see why people make this association. It all adds up. Even in a life of wealth, luxury and finery, death is woven into every corner, just like it is for anyone else. Art is so interesting.

I love this video, the amount of detail that went into every aspect of the dress and your analysis of it, was so much fun to watch

Darn you! I'm bingeing on this channel's content and having a good time. I need to sleep at night and not binge watch this channel! LOL! Keep doing fantastic work!

I only expected to learn about history topics. Thank you for showing me how to look at art with a different eye.

I Love how fully researched and articulate you are! Thank you for making the past few months sooo much better, I think I've watched every single video you've made :)

A beautiful and skilful painting with layers of meaning and a central mystery of the people portrayed. A very interesting investigation thank you.

That was very enjoyable. I love learning the history and symbolism in paintings. Keep up the good work!

I loved this! Thanks for your thoughtful, informative and fascinating commentary.

I saw an episode of a stitch in time about the portrait of Dido Belle with her cousin Elizabeth - it was really good and interesting.

Fascinating.....the symbolism, the talent, the questions.

Ooohhh, Thank you Dr. Kat What a yummy subject to dissect. I am so excited to hear your insights on this, It has always been a fascinating subject to ponder.

so interesting,Dr.Kat.most enjoyable analysis.I have been most interested in this portrait since i saw in a bookof art ,in my teens.Thank you.

I adore this painting, it’s absolutely fascinating. I have it framed at the top of the stairs and say good morning to them everyday 🧡

Thank you Dr. Kat for this fascinating discussion. I’ve always found this painting very intriguing . It’s especially nice to hear your description when so many of us are shut out of museum going during the pandemic. I live near Washington, D.C. and look forward to visiting the National Gallery there again. So many of the paintings are like old friends.

A truly informative session it will make me look more intently at the art I enjoy and look at. Thank you Dr Kat.

The details in the rug, chandelier, and mirror are amazing!!

I first saw the Arnolfini Portrait as life size three dimensional wax figures at Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, California in 1971 during a class field trip (Yes, I'm ancient. lol). I was in awe of the detail and opulence, not realizing the intrigues about its variety of possible stories. Thank you for helping me revisit a pleasant memory.

I went to a little parish school back in the late 60's. Our 'arts program' was a little booklet with paintings in black and white and selected poetry. I've always remembered learning about the painting, and many of the points you raised were brought out in the lesson even back then. As an adult, I was excited to come upon the original as I casually walked through the National Gallery. I was happy to learn even more about this painting from your excellent video.

Thank you for this video. It is one of my favorite paintings.

Thanks Dr. Kat I don’t think I can add to all the interesting comments I’m reading except to say that I’m glad we can still speculate On objects and people in this painting, it’s always been so cryptic- and now I can’t get Putin out of my head, ha!! ✌🏼🥰

What a wonderful analysis of this captivating picture!

Another awesome video Dr. Kat! I personally know nothing about art, Historical or otherwise. Nevertheless, I had my eyes glued to the screen for the entire video, absolutely fascinated to learn about things I have never seen before. Unlike some of your viewers who have experience with and knowledge about this piece, it is new to me. The painting is so beautiful and the detail is mind boggling!

You gave me wonderful insight. Thank you.

Thank you so much for solving the problem with the sound. I can hear you now much better. Please keep up the good work😀

I see a world ‘leader’ there, I think. But the guy in the painting needs to take his shirt off so I can be sure. Such fun!

Thanks and cheers from from Finland Dr Kat! A relatively new subsriber here and I really love the content of your channel. Great work!

Your conclusion seems to agree with the other video I watched on the Arnolfini portrait. This was good, thanks.

Wow. Brilliant observations. The candle burning next to the one that is burnt out is telling the story perhaps.

Love your research and work. Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤

I loved that episode of A Stitch in Time (well all of them, really!) but that was such an interesting deep dive into the wealth represented by the dress and I adore that you've referenced it. Fascinating overview of the painting.

Thank you for a fascinating and informative video. There is a paucity of such caliber videos like your's on KZfaq. Thank you again.

Dr. Kat, you are fascinating! I saw this portrait at the National Gallery on my trip to London several years ago. Unfortunately I didn’t have your wealth of knowledge in order to appreciate it. Thank you for sharing this! I learned so much. I loved this painting before, but now I feel connected to it. Please teach us about other paintings. Thank you again!

I’m sooo glad I found you! These are interesting videos.😊

Thank you for this. You have added more tiny facts for inquiry. The one thing I may be able to add is that I worked a good deal on dyes and pigments, and madder is a pretty rosy pink compared with this red, which is why cochineal became an instant hit when it was imported. This painting appears to portray a scarlet, not a very strong pink, so I am going to suggest madder is not a source. Of course I bow to those more knowledgeable.

Thanks it was very informative, I had never heard of Morganatic Marriage.

You're so good! Happy to have found your channel!

As an historian, I thoroughly enjoy your channel. I wrote a paper about this painting :) Being Flemish I travelled the world to see the (what we call them) Flemish primitives. It's odd to me that the English community is calling these painters "Early Netherlandish painters", in other languages they are referred to as Flemish. Every time I'm in London I go visit the National Gallery. When you have the opportunity you can always visit Flanders where we have many treasures painted by Van Eyck and his brother, not in the least "Het Lam Gods" in Ghent. Rogier van der Weyden is also a favorite for me. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work! Kind regards, Ann

Love when u dissect paintings I learn so much

I love your channel. I love history and art and you cover it superbly. Integrating fact with hypothesis. Keep them coming and thank you so much. I look for intelligent mind expanding topics and you do it so well with flair.

Congratulations from New Jersey, USA. What a wonderful surprise.♥️♥️♥️

Dr Kat I stumbled across your chanel yesterday whilst in bed not well (not covid related). Now working may way through them all. Thank you so much

What strikes me when gong through all the details is, that the whole picture just completely changes when you imagine that any part weren't there. The picture wouldn't work in the same way if the Curtains weren't there or if they weren't red. Even the brush in the background forms the picture. Everything is were it needs to bee and you couldn't imagine it without any certain detail.

I do love the wooden protective platform shoes with mud and muck along the edge .... for me a sign that they are elevated above the mud and muck others endure.

Thankyou for all your videos. I love them all! Alice x

That was a great video! I enjoy all of her videos.

I find that not only was the painting richly detailed, but it was richly embedded with symbolism that gave the painting a strong story that was told in layers. With each layer a different scene. Like a novel, each chapter is more deeper in detail and the plot thickens, so is with this painting. It told a story of it's time (even though the people remain unknown) and told of their lives and how they lived it.

I’ve just recently discovered your channel, and just love your topics and presentation style. In particular, I appreciate your honesty, your willingness to say that your interpretation might be challenged. Now back to the video.......

Thank you once again for a great video🎨

That there’s a third person in the reflection/room wearing blue. Keeps standing out to me that and the writing on the wall. LoL, thank you so much. I absolutely love this portrait now, how symbolic yet realistic and your explaining was awesome 😎! 1st time here glad I did! Subscribed!

As if I needed more reason to love Van Eyck! Awesome video.

You make it all so interesting!!! Thank you ✌️

Beautiful painting. We studied it at art college back in 1981. We were told it was the first (if not one of the first) oil paintings. Jan Van Eyck and his brother were the ones who first experimented with it. Not sure how accurate that is. It's wonderful to see in real life. While you're there, check out Richard Dadd's Fairy Fellers Master Stroke.

I love analyzing paintings from the past. I love trying to figure out what the artists are trying to convey, like is there a secret code, hints, hidden messages, or is it just our imagination running wild from the mystique? And you were right. You can't unsee it. 😵 Another brilliant video! 🤗👏🙂👍

Excellent as usual 👌 thanks Kat

First of all, I LOVED THIS VIDEO! Please do more of them! 🙏 I want to thank you for giving me a new appreciation of this painting. I first saw it on the DailyArt app and wasn't sure what to make of it. I liked it but some elements struck me as bizarre even for the 15th century. I'm always drawn to the man and that hat. First time I saw him, he reminded me of that creepy preacher man from one of the Poltergeist movies and the second time he looked a bit like the Mad Hatter in mourning attire. I read the article you linked...LOLOL🤣😂🤣 She's not wrong! I think my favorite thing about this painting is the mirror's reflection. It's amazing!

Out of the paintings I studied in college this portrait is the absolutely my favorite. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!! This was almost 50 years ago and we weren't taught anything about this being a posthumous portrait, a common thought today. The difference between northern and southern paintings is a wide one. The southern works tended to reflect the warm sunlight, so the colors pop. Northern works were more subdued. Van Gogh's while still northern, are an age apart from the Arnofini. Sorry, starting to ramble here.

I love this painting, and was interested to hear your theories about it. It was a pleasure to scrutinize it so closely. Now I believe I’m in agreement with the portrait as a memorial of a life that could have been, but ended in death (it was the figures in the mirror that did it for me). Another great video, Dr. Kat! Thanks for helping my brain vibrate with some knowledge, as opposed to reality TV. 😉

Thank you for this , this picture has always fascinated me 😀

Thanks for this. I often use this painting in my college art history courses. It is so rich!!!!

Oh my. I really can’t unsee it. He does look like him. I’ve Truly enjoyed this video.

this is one of my fave paintings and u are one of my fave creators !!!!