Rooms inspired by paintings: The Arnolfini Portrait
Today's scheme is based on The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck. Such a rich, moody colour palette.
Jan van Eyck was a Flemish painter born c.1390 in Maaseik, a town in modern-day Belgium. Together with his brother Hubert, van Eyck was considered one of the early Netherlandish and Flemish pioneers in the development of the oil technique.
The Arnolfini Portrait was painted in 1434 using oil on wood. Oil paints are richer and denser in colour, so fortunately this 600-year-old painting is still in very good condition, with only small amounts of paint loss and damage (which have been mostly retouched). The colours remain vibrant and intense due not only to the paint, but the several layers of thin translucent glazes that highlight the detail and realism in the painting.
According to a critical essay in 2003 by art historian Margaret Koster, the female subject could be Giovanni di Nicolao's first wife Costanza Trenta, who had died perhaps in childbirth in February 1433, a year prior to the painting's completion.
The single lit candle in the chandelier. Via Wikipedia.
Therefore, it is argued that The Arnolfini Portrait is a memorial portrait rather than a marriage portrait as first proposed in an article by art historian Erwin Panofsky in 1934.
According to Panofsky, the single lit candle in the left hand side of the chandelier symbolises the all-seeing eye of God, blessing the union or standing as a witness to the marriage vows, as Flemish customs of marriage included lighting a candle calling the Holy Spirit. However, Koster suggests that the lit candle above the husband represents his life, and the burnt out candle on the right hand side above his wife represents her death.
Another indication that this is a memorial portrait is the dog. To Panofsky, the dog represents the fidelity and loyalty of the married couple. Koster suggests that dogs are seen on female tombs from ancient Roman times, as they were believed to guard and guide them to the afterlife. This would explain why the dog stands closest to the wife, further representing her death. You can see dogs at the foot of Jeanne de Bourbon's tomb in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, France.
A close-up of the convex mirror and van Eyck's signature above it. Via Wikipedia.
The reason I love this painting so much is the reflection in the convex mirror. Inside, we can see the reflections of the couple plus two figures standing by the door. It is thought that one of the figures is van Eyck himself, especially since his signature on the wall above the mirror reads 'Johannes de eyck fuit hic' which translates to 'Jan van Eyck was here'. Panofsky claims that because of this, The Arnolfini Portrait is a marriage contract and van Eyck was a witness.
Around the mirror are 10 small scenes depicting the Passion of Christ. Furthering Koster's memorial theory, all the scenes on the wife's side are of Christ's death and resurrection, and those on the husband's side concern Christ's life. The details are so tiny that it is theorised that van Eyck used a single-hair brush to paint them with.
The oranges that can be seen on the far left table could potentially have religious or matrimonial symbolism, yet they also provide insight into the wealth of the Arnolfinis as oranges did not grow naturally in Bruges and would've been expensive to import. There are many other indications of wealth in the painting, such as the couple's luxurious clothing made from wool, lined with fur, and dyed in vivid greens, blues, and deep blacks, and the elaborate furniture that decorates the room, from the richly coloured bed to the ornate carpet.
I really could talk about this painting forever.
Alas, here is the room I put together based on the colour scheme of The Arnolfini Portrait...
Arte Lin Wallpaper in Grain de Poivre by TM Interiors, £145.00/roll ・ Model 02 3-Seater Sofa in Vine by Swyft, £1,399.00 ・ Richmond Interiors Luxor Round Coffee Table from Olivia's, £1,317.00 ・ Zareen Scarlet Red Rug by Ruggable, from £119.00 ・ Tetrad Aughton Leather Armchair in Galveston Walnut by John Lewis, £1,449.00 ・ Framed Oil Painting of Oranges from Lorfords Antiques, £495.00 ・ Gallery Interiors Kali Wall Mirror from Olivia's, £98.00 ・ Italian Giltwood Chandelier by Lassco, £4,500.00 ・ Antique 20th Century Open Bookcase from LoveAntiques.com, £365.00 ・ Emily Pouffe by Olivia's, £90.00 ・ Hidden Stems Scented Candle by Marks & Spencer x National Gallery, £15.00 ・ Briallen Side Table by OKA, £295.00 ・ Red Oscar Geo Cushion by Next, £14.00 ・ Blue Soft Velour Cushion by Next, £18.00.
(If a product isn't linked it's because it was probably a PNG from Google Images.)
I managed to include a few references to the original painting in this room. The single lit candle in the chandelier, the pop of blue in the cushion (mirroring the wife's sleeves), and the framed painting of oranges above the sofa. I made sure to feature plenty of brassy tones in here as a nod to the chandelier and the wife's jewellery.
I love the textured wallpaper by Arte that comes in the most perfect, grungy shade of khaki. It mirrors the colour of the rugged plaster walls in the painting.
I think the overall colour scheme of this room is dreamy. It feels cosy and safe like a cocoon. I bet it smells like patchouli or sandalwood in there.
Information: The Art Wanderer, The Collector, Rambling London Tours, Giselle Daydreams, National Gallery.
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