This 600-year-old painting is one of the most mysterious in...
The Culturist@the_culturist_
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Sep 12, 2024
~3 min read
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This 600-year-old painting is one of the most mysterious in history.
That mirror at the back is just 3 inches wide — yet it reflects the entire room in immense detail.
Look closer at it and you'll realize nothing is as it seems… (thread) 🧵
That mirror at the back is just 3 inches wide — yet it reflects the entire room in immense detail.
Look closer at it and you'll realize nothing is as it seems… (thread) 🧵
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At first glance, you might think Jan van Eyck's masterpiece is an ordinary portrait: Italian merchant Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, Costanza.
It looks like it could be a wedding ceremony, but there is far more going on...
It looks like it could be a wedding ceremony, but there is far more going on...
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First, it's astonishingly rich in detail and symbolism.
To give you an idea, the prayer beads at the back (a gift to the bride symbolizing purity) each cast a tiny shadow on the wall — and reflect the room's light.
To give you an idea, the prayer beads at the back (a gift to the bride symbolizing purity) each cast a tiny shadow on the wall — and reflect the room's light.
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Or take this orange, itself a symbol of wealth, being an expensive import to Bruges (where this was painted).
Its shadow is masterfully rendered, but it even has a faint reflection in the windowsill.
Its shadow is masterfully rendered, but it even has a faint reflection in the windowsill.
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Or this dog, a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, with each of its hairs painted with one single hair of van Eyck's paintbrush...
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It becomes more mind-blowing when you realize when this was painted: the 15th century.
This was an almighty leap in perspective and realism from Gothic art just a few decades earlier.
This was an almighty leap in perspective and realism from Gothic art just a few decades earlier.
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But dig further into the symbols and you see why it's one of the most analyzed paintings in history.
First, some think it's an actual marriage contract — explaining why the artist's witness signature is included.
First, some think it's an actual marriage contract — explaining why the artist's witness signature is included.
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And on the bed frame is a sculpture of Saint Margaret, the patron saint of childbirth.
So, this is a portrait of a happy and fruitful marriage yet to come, right?
So, this is a portrait of a happy and fruitful marriage yet to come, right?
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Wrong. Look now at the mirror.
Packing all this detail into such a small space is stupendous already, but note this is convex glass. The distortion is represented with stunning accuracy.
Packing all this detail into such a small space is stupendous already, but note this is convex glass. The distortion is represented with stunning accuracy.
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Zoom in further and you see that orange on the windowsill again.
But more interesting are the two figures in the back: a man in red usually identified as the painter himself, and one other — is that us, the viewer?
But more interesting are the two figures in the back: a man in red usually identified as the painter himself, and one other — is that us, the viewer?
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The true nature of this painting is actually revealed around the mirror, in 10 tiny images.
Each of these is smaller than half a fingernail, with scenes of the Passion of Christ: from the Agony in the Garden to the Resurrection.
Each of these is smaller than half a fingernail, with scenes of the Passion of Christ: from the Agony in the Garden to the Resurrection.
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You may notice the scenes on Giovanni's side are during Christ's life, and on Costanza's side after Christ's death — why?
Well, this painting was completed in 1434. Costanza died in 1433...
Well, this painting was completed in 1434. Costanza died in 1433...
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Now, a lot more starts to make sense: the cherry blossom tree (a symbol of the transience of life), Giovanni's dark clothes (like he's attending a funeral).
Not a single detail is accidental.
Not a single detail is accidental.
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The chandelier has only one candle lit: the one above Giovanni's head. The candle over Costanza has burned out — only a few drops of wax remain.
This painting is a posthumous tribute to Costanza.
This painting is a posthumous tribute to Costanza.
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It's hard not to notice how she's standing and her hand position. This is a woman soon to give birth, at a time when death during childbirth was common.
Her sacrifice is accompanied behind by the ultimate sacrifice: Christ's Crucifixion.
Her sacrifice is accompanied behind by the ultimate sacrifice: Christ's Crucifixion.
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One final detail: look at Giovanni's shoes that he's discarded.
He's done so out of respect: a wedding is happening here, so the room is transformed into a holy place...
He's done so out of respect: a wedding is happening here, so the room is transformed into a holy place...
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And despite what's happened, he has no intention of walking away from his vows — or his faith.
This whole scene is a tribute to the passing of a beloved wife, with details that only a true genius could pull off...
This whole scene is a tribute to the passing of a beloved wife, with details that only a true genius could pull off...