Studies in the Iconology of Netherlandish Art - Essay Example

According to Hamilton, Richard Foster and Martin (35), pop art became so dominant and popular in London and New York in the mid-50s, the same time Richard made this painting.Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait (Northern Renaissance) on the other hand, is a proof of the coming and birth of contemporary fashion as suggested by the woman in the portrait who is holding high her brightly colored dress. “The Arnolfini is filled with complex symbolism and interesting details,” (Seidel and Linda 21).

Evidently, Jan’s painting is a Flemish painting from the bright colors used as it is commonly associated with the renaissance, which usually means re-birth. Re-birth was started in Florence and Italy, the same place where the particular painting is based on. The painting was done in 1434 by Jan van Eyck as one of the pioneers of an oil painting. In Italy, there are a lot of details of wealth from the same place like the rare species of the dog present in the painting, the wealthy clothes and the gleaming brass chandelier on the wall.

The ornate Latin signature on the wall near the clock also has some resemblance of the modern-day graffiti, which proves more of the birth of contemporary culture.There are several differences between Richard’s painting, “just what is it that makes today’s homes so appealing?” and Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait in that, Richards painting is a true depiction of modern pop art with modern true day to day life among people like the free and liberal partnership between man and woman as depicted in the picture .

Richard’s painting also narrows down the difference between fine and contemporary art while Jan’s painting depicts marriage, fidelity, and wealth of the fourteenth century as mentioned by Bedaux and Ben( 43) These paintings are similar in style, in that they are bold, colorful interesting to look at and catchy. However, Richard’s painting involves placing different pictures and images on a portrait to make a collage while Jan’s painting is made fully from oil paint.