During the recorded lecture we discussed many iconic works by Van Eyck, Leonardo da Vinci and Holbein. Initially we talked about the Mona Lisa and how it represents the technicality of Leonardo’s portrait and his interest geometry and mathematics. I found it interesting how the Mona Lisa herself and the background of the portrait is the same color scheme, which adds a sense of unity and makes it look like she is a part of her environment. The light hits the central axis and her body follows the thirds rule, giving a balance to the portrait.
We also discussed Van Eyck’s Giovanni Arnolfini and his Wife work and the many disguised symbols that represents the scene depicted in the piece-the joining of hands in marriage. There is a dog, representing fidelity and the peaches represent fertility. It is interesting how the man is on the side of the window, alluding to where he does his work and business while the women is on the side of the bed representing her domestic realm where she stays. There is also a candle burning on the chandelier representing the stage of marriage the two people are in the middle of. The candle goes out when the marriage is finalized, showing that the two are still in the process of marriage.