Today, we started class by finishing our discussion on the Well of Moses and then began talking about Jan van Eyck, who was a dominant figure in this lecture. He is known for his disguised symbolism by a system of conveyed meaning. The Duke sends him secret travels, implying he could be a spy? He also traveled to Spain and Portugal as an ambassador and searched for the Dukes’ wife. There was a myth that he invented oil painting as well. We then discussed the Arnolfini Portrait. We discussed the different aspects of the painting and what some of the signs mean. We first learn that Giovanni Arnolfini is in the painting, and he is a wealthy Italian merchant. The woman next to him could be his wife, but they were married later than 1434, which was when this painting was created. Although the woman is in an odd stance, she is not pregnant. It is more of a common pose during these times. We can also see that the woman has a lot of material possessions, which, during this time, can be a means of displaying wealth. We also noticed there was only one candle stick lit in the room. This was a wedding tradition and is also referred to as snuffing out a candle. In the back of the painting, we noticed the signature of Johannes de Eyck fuit hic 1434, which is beautifully written. We also see a mirror with many different scenes behind it resembling the passion of Christ. Inside the mirror, we notice there are two more individuals in the room. This is because marriage requires two witnesses since there isn’t a priest. Marriage during this time was more of a ritual that required the joining of hands and taking an oath. We also see some different symbols, such as the bed, the dog, the fruit, and Giovanni on the side of the window. The bedroom during this time is not a private room. The dog next to the bed resembles loyalty and fidelity. It can also be seen as a status symbol of wealth. The fruit is peaches and it could possibly resemble fertility. And finally, Giovanni, next to the window, refers to him as a businessman being close to the city.
We then discussed Rogier van der Weyden and his St. Luke drawing of the Virgin. This drawing was a silverpoint drawing, which is pretty unique. The point of it is for the touch of the silver to oxidize the layer it is written on. In the background of this drawing, we see Northern Europe and contemporary people.