Students will learn about Jan Van Eyck, some of his art, and why he was revolutionary in some of the things we as artists do today. The Arnolfini Wedding Portrait by Jan Van Eyck is one of the most famous works of art coming from Northern Europe during the Renaissance. His masterful use of oil paint and subtle symbolism are displays of northern culture and values. But how did an Italian merchant find himself in the Netherlands? Why is he adapting symbolism and cultural values that are specifically not Italian?  And why would he allow the artist to paint himself in the middle of their wedding portrait? 

In this short lecture, students will join in the discussion looking close at a work of art and discribing it. They will learn about symbolism common in Northern Renaissance painting, and why Jan Van Eyck signed his paintings as he did. We'll talk about how we sign our own artworks today, and we will theorize why Van Eyck painted himself right into this portrait between the happy couple celebrating their new marriage.