General Subject Matter and Overview of the Artwork
The subject matter of the Arnolfini Portrait is the depiction of a couple – a man and a woman standing in the center of a room wearing expensive clothing, and a dog is beneath them. There is a chandelier and a mirror with a reflection of the couple.
Symbolic Meanings in the Artwork
The symbols provide additional layers of meaning to The Arnolfini Portrait by conveying religious themes through the mirror, the social context of the time using clothing, and the subject’s personality with the dog. The clothing and the mirror reveal social settings and religious aspects. The painting portrays the clothing worn by the couple as luxurious, which is a symbolic meaning of their societal status. In the 15th century, only rich people could afford to wear such clothes.
The mirror reflects the couple’s image and other figures in the room. It signifies that the couple was wealthy because mirrors were a luxury item. Also, it characterized self-reflection, where the mirror image reflects the true self. It reflects their spiritual state and brings the idea of God watching the couple. Thus, the painting touches on the class and spirituality of the couple.
The dog is another symbolic element that illustrates the couple’s loyalty. It is because dogs are symbols of protection and unconditional love. Therefore, the dog in the painting embodies the couple’s loyalty, faith, and security. In The Arnolfini Portrait, there can be more than one interpretation, focusing on the couple’s wealth, while others focus more on the religious elements. Some only look at the couple from the family angle.
Impact of Symbolism on Interpretation
The symbolic objects in The Arnolfini Portrait change the image’s interpretation by bringing in religious, social, and personal meanings. They show that the couple is from a higher social class that could afford expensive things while also being religious, as they reflect on their spiritual state. The couple’s mirror, dog, and clothing are some of the most interesting symbolic objects in the painting, conveying specific messages to the viewers of the 15th century.