10 Hidden Details You Never Noticed In Famous Paintings
Blink and you'll miss them, squint and you'll catch them.
Art is subjective by nature especially when you can't ask the artist what they were going for and are left to your own devices for meaning. The task of analysing the symbolism of a piece falls on the viewer themselves. A fairly daunting task as most of us look at a painting at face value, so lucky for us experts exist that can interpret and explain the meaning of a work of art.
Sometimes though they find something that doesn't require special expertise, just an open mind and a good pair of eyes (or at least in one incidence in the following, the ability to read a newspaper).
The meanings behind the hidden references or small touches found in art are as varied as artists themselves. Sometimes they put in an example of technical mastery, sometimes there's a spiteful message hidden within the work and sometimes they just want to have a laugh.
So if you ever happen to be able to see the following in person you can show off your knowledge of the art behind the art without a need for a double take, because you'll know just where to look.
10. Mirror's Reflection - The Arnolfini Portrait (Jan Van Eyck)
The Arnolfini Portrait, which is actually two portraits in one as there are two subjects, was painted in 1434, probably commissioned by the man in the painting (the pale Voldemort-looking fellow), Giovanni Arnolfini; either to celebrate his marriage or to commemorate the death of his wife Giovanna. Records from the 15th century are a bit patchy but one thing that most art historians agree on is that the woman on the right is not pregnant, it's just a stupid dress.
What makes Jan van Eyck's most celebrated piece so widely studied are two factors: for one thing it's small, only 82x59.5cm, but it's bursting with these incredibly fine, intricate details. The second factor is that there is a very tiny second painting in the piece itself.
Look closely between the 'loving couple' (PDA was pretty chilly at this point in time) and you will see a small mirror between the two, look even closer into the mirror and you can see the reversed image of the painting.
The details of the couple's backs and the fine work in the room are already enough to amaze, but look even closer and you can see a figure painting the couple, presumably van Eyck.