He a wealthy merchant in the city of Bruges needed a commemorative painting of him and his wife. The portrait is in a way about his wealth and everything from both of their clothing and furnishings is indicative of a wealthy merchant’s life. This is a period where a tremendous value is put into symbolism. There is plenty of symbolism in this portrait everything from their shoes being off, to the joining of their hands, and a single candle in the chandelier. Their shoes off is a symbol of them being grounded in holiness. Next, the chandelier with a single lit candle is a symbol of the presence of God. Finally, their joined hands draw the viewer 's eye to the center of the portrait giving the viewer a sense of importance of the couple and their matrimony. Jan van Eyck use of oil paints allows him to place layer after layer, each one almost translucent to create a depth and richness of color lasting over 600 years. Jan van Eyck’s medium also allowed him to paint in great detail which had rarely been done before
He a wealthy merchant in the city of Bruges needed a commemorative painting of him and his wife. The portrait is in a way about his wealth and everything from both of their clothing and furnishings is indicative of a wealthy merchant’s life. This is a period where a tremendous value is put into symbolism. There is plenty of symbolism in this portrait everything from their shoes being off, to the joining of their hands, and a single candle in the chandelier. Their shoes off is a symbol of them being grounded in holiness. Next, the chandelier with a single lit candle is a symbol of the presence of God. Finally, their joined hands draw the viewer 's eye to the center of the portrait giving the viewer a sense of importance of the couple and their matrimony. Jan van Eyck use of oil paints allows him to place layer after layer, each one almost translucent to create a depth and richness of color lasting over 600 years. Jan van Eyck’s medium also allowed him to paint in great detail which had rarely been done before