Alessa Amante

The Arnolfini Portrait Analysis

RWS 1301

Alessa Amante

Alessa Amante
During the 1400-1500s an era devoted to the growth and development of education was
formed, called the Renaissance. This period in time was heavily influenced by the idea of
enlightenment and was filled with many new and aspiring artists, scientists, mathematicians, and
individuals who grabbed an interest in knowledge Among them is artist Jan Van Eyck, who is
known for is extreme attention to detail and highly photogenic paintings. One of his most famous
paintings, the Arnolfini Portrait, exuded how the arts and education were a big part of society at
the time. It also illustrates the roles within their modern society and how religion is a huge part
within their community. Within his piece he is able to create a variety of emotions to the
audience and is able to form a relationship within the piece, himself, and the audience.
During the Renaissance the importance of math, science, art, and growth were
emphasized. Within the arts the practice of making people and buildings proportionally correct
was evolving and during this time artists began using new and different techniques in order to
create a sense of dimension, realism, and to add story to their pieces. This era was all about
progression, however, given the momentum that their society was moving in they never forgot to
look back to the past in order to gain wisdom and in order to not make the same mistakes. The
Arnolfini Portrait illustrates the amount of practice and education the artist Eyck had to face in
order to create a piece as detailed and dimensional as the Arnolfini. He uses imagery and
symbolism in order to influence his audience through the logistics that their society held at the
time. He conveys a message through this piece that many at the time will resonate with because
he is able to use elements from their society that resonate with the audience. His skill and
understanding of the values that his society held at the time illustrates how he used Pathos in
order to convey emotion from his audience.

Alessa Amante
By truly understanding his audience, he is able to successfully manipulate their reasoning
and logic. He uses Logos in order for his audience to like his work and to, evidentially, form
opinions that he holds which are displayed in the painting. He uses religious symbolism,
something that is highly valued by many at the time, to influence their thought process. In the
mirror border, bible scriptures can be seen and the triangle being formed by the man, wife, and
dog, represent the father, son, and Holy Spirit. Images of gender roles within a marriage at the
time can also be seen through the color of the bed sheets, the sandals representing hard work, and
the foreshadowing of the woman promising a family. These values and sensibilities are some that
his society hold very near, and so to illustrate them allows for people to believe that is the correct
way of life. Especially through this well-known work and skill, people are more likely to agree
with the images of this piece at the time.
In addition to being able to use logos to form an audience who will agree to the values
hes portraying at the time, he is able to use ethos, which forms trust and credibility to his work.
Through this piece he is able to reach a wide variety of audiences. From highly religious groups,
to conservative traditionalist groups, to more modern and progressive groups who are influenced
by the enlightenment. He is able to achieve this by displaying traditional imagery in the piece
which illustrates the appropriate gender roles and values held at the time within a marriage. He is
also able to display the importance that religion holds within their society by including imagery
of bible scriptures, trinity symbolism, and spirituality within the piece. In addition, through his
education, practice, attention to detail, and skills, he is able to form the trust of those who are
influenced by the progression of education and the arts. He sets an example to those who are
learning and illustrates the importance and rewards that come from this era.

Alessa Amante
He understands his audience, which allows him to create a very successful piece that will
be known for centuries to come. He understands their values, morals, goals, and opinions, and by
illustrating them with such finesse and detail he is able to create trust with his audience while
simultaneously making them convey several different emotions and play with their reasoning. He
is also able to spread and share the goals of his society and that era to other individuals and
different eras to come. On the other hand, while this was and continues to be a very successful
piece it will face audiences who disagree with the message or dont entirely understand what it is
truly trying to convey. However, with every successful thing that comes along, there will always
be certain individuals who disagree with its success.

Alessa Amante